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THE UNIVERSITY 
Oe ENON? 
LIBRARY 


How to Organize 
and 


How to Conduct a Meeting 


A Complete Treatise on Parliamentary Law Simplified for 
Use in Schools and Colleges, and Especially Arranged 
for the Person Who may be Called Upon to 
Preside at a Public Meeting, or to Take 
Charge of a Society or Club. 


BY 


W. H. F. HENRY 
AUTHOR OF HENRY’s HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION Book 


AND 


DR. LEVI SEELEY 


AUTHOR OF NEw ScHOOL MANAGEMENT, HisTory OF EDUCATION, 
ELEMENTARY PEDAGOGY, ETC. 


NOBLE AND NOBLE, Publishers 


76 FirtH AVENUE _ New York 


COPYRIGHT, 1926 
By Nosre anp Nosie 


Printed in U.S. A. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Public Speaking is a national characteristic of the 
American people. Doubtless the New England town 
meeting, where all citizens gathered to consider ques- 
tions of public welfare, encouraged it. Our later 
representative form of government also trained men to 
speak in public. Frequent elections, National, State, 
Municipal and Local, call for public gatherings to hear 
speeches, pass resolutions, and transact business. 
Labor unions and other organizations, which seek 
united action, must be conducted according to some 
plan or else confusion and failure will follow. The 
same is true of Educational, Religious, Economic, 
Scientific, or Social Conventions or Conferences. They 
must follow some accepted plan. Hence the purpose 
of this book is to show how to proceed in a public 
meeting under orderly rules and general parliamentary 
practices. 

This condition applies not only to men. Woman has 
come into a larger and more public life. No longer 
does she confine her activities to the home, though 
she should and must ever be its guiding star and its 
inspiration. She is taking her place by the side of 
her male comrade not only in social, moral and spirit- 

1 


002345 


il Introduction 


ual matters, but also in business, in politics, and, to 
some extent in the professions. All of this has not 
come about merely through the Nineteenth Amend- 
ment, giving her the right of suffrage. She has grad- 
ually but surely been coming into her own for many 
years. She holds ninety per cent of the positions in 
the field of teaching. She has colleges which are 
crowded with eager young women thoroughly prepar- 
ing themselves to meet Twentieth Century problems 
and responsibilities. She meets her brothers on the 
plane of equality in co-educational institutions and car- 
ries off many of the honors. 

Women have their clubs, their societies, their or- 
ganizations, in every city and town. In many of these 
meetings women are often indifferent to parliamentary 
law in their conduct of business, thus seriously affecting 
the efficiency of the work. It will readily be acknowl- 
edged that any meeting that is conducted according 
to established rules is far more likely to accomplish 
results than one conducted without such regulations. 
Even in a Church Society, or a Ladies’ Aid, or a 
Missionary Meeting, or any other body where a number 
of persons convene for the transaction of business, 
there must be some rules of procedure. 

Young people, too, have their Societies, their Clubs, 
their Fraternities, their Debating and Literary So- 
cieties, where the necessity of orderly action is ob- 
vious. Here the study of parliamentary law finds its 
greatest opportunity. Young people of about the 


Introduction ili 


Same age and attainments, with similar purposes, 
eager for self-expression, open-minded, and ambitious 
to learn, meet frequently. If they are fortunate 
enough to have the guidance of a person familiar with 
parliamentary law, so much the better. But if the 
members of the club will study a work on this sub- 
ject, they can easily apply its teachings without the 
aid of an instructor. In a word, they can “learn to 
do, by doing,” the most practical and effective method 
of learning. | 

There are few men or women in our American 
life who are not at some time called upon to make a 
speech, preside at a meeting, make a motion, act upon 
a committee, or perform some public service. This 
does not apply to the educated and professional classes 
alone. Mechanics, tradesmen, farmers, laborers, rail- 
road men have their organizations. No matter how 
diffident a man may be, the call of public duty will 
reach him and he must answer. How much better it 
would be if every American citizen was to receive the 
training which would enable him to meet such occa- 
sions with ease, grace and effectiveness, and without 
embarrassment. 

If the above reasoning is sound, there should be far 
more training in parliamentary law than our present 
educational scheme contemplates. There are very few 
courses in this subject in our institutions of learning. 
Since the purpose of education, in its broadest sense, 
is to prepare for life, surely here is a neglected op- 


iV Introduction 


portunity, for a knowledge of parliamentary law is a 
very important asset to every person. 

Most people know but little of the machinery of 
business meetings. Their societies and debating clubs 
have but few points in harmony with the practices 
and demands of general custom. 

Great stress is placed upon the importance of prac- 
tical acquaintance with the ordinary school studies; 
such as,—Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. But 
after school comes the regular working of business 
life when much that has required years to master 
is often of little practical utility. Parliamentary us- 
ages and practices should be carefully studied in every 
school. The great majority of people receive no fur- 
ther instruction than that afforded by the elementary 
school. Many a young man after entering upon his 
life’s work, and being called upon to act as Chairman 
or Secretary of some citizens’ meeting, finds himself 
in an embarrassing position because of his ignorance of 
the customary workings of such a body. Hence, for 
his own sake, and in order to retain the respect of his 
neighbors, it is of the utmost importance that he should 
be taught how to organize and conduct a meeting. 

Where debating is recognized and required as one 
of the regular exercises in a school, great benefit can 
be derived from it. Then instead of a Debating So- 
ciety, you have a Debating Class, the teacher acting as 
President. 

The purpose of this little manual is to present, in 


Introduction Vv 


a condensed yet comprehensive form, those general 
principles with their modifications which are well 
recognized and established by common usage in all 
well-organized bodies. In addition, a series of Ex- 
amination Questions, covering all the general principles 
of Parliamentary Law, has been added, which, if 
mastered, will give the student a thorough knowledge 
of every question that is likely to arise on the subject. 


ae: 
PROM hia 


Mh d 


CONTENTS 


PURPOSE OF DEBATE AND PARLIAMENTARY LAW . I 


PW TOMORGANIZEVA) MEETING O. cn) isis ies oiler (0 LO 
DUTIES AND RiGHTs OF MEMBERS. ... . . I4 
RA tEOLOR: ORFICERS Meg areia Doni s iss) er beet hifat te staal 


BRTILESS OFF CRDER MA at uae fen wil cee. t) beta to re hitah Sugituhaasy 


PIEDER Ob ES TISENESS I! ax cya Nees Vat eB eaanibile tk SA 
RUE RTOs IEBATE Mei gohk aig ilk ons ef a \eiaor te Cee 
RO ISCUSSION-OFCA COUIESTION. Py Oud dun hier ucveneunuun) | clot 
PIRIVILEGEDEUJUESTIONS i. teh \ie yea tues oias: Ta eR hana 
WVGR MOR: COMMITEE Cn. nih clued Une ly ict oy gi ue man eh 
PSPOTIONS FORMIEDATES Una ike vem neL hel od IM eae 
ForM FOR CONSTITUTION AND By-Laws . . . 97 
FoRMS FOR VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS . . . . . I09 


QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION ON PARLIAMENTARY 
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PURPOSE OF DEBATE AND PARLIAMENTARY 
LAW. 


1. The Object of Debate.—The ultimate triumph 
of truth is one of life’s highest ideals. The object 
of debate, therefore, is to gather all the forces of truth 
in order to overcome errors and misunderstanding. 
Efficient debate makes use of logic while it listens to 
both sides of a question and grants a fair field to Error 
as well as to Truth. 


2. Purpose of Parliamentary Law.—To discuss 
questions and to decide upon certain measures consti- 
tute the object of all assemblies. Unless there be some 
definite line of procedure and systematized principles, 
confusion will reign, and no satisfactory sense of the 
meeting can be brought out. The design of parlia- 
mentary law is, therefore, to effect uniformity in as- 
sembly proceedings. 


3. Origin of Parliamentary Principles.—The gen- 
eral principles of parliamentary law originated in the 
old Roman code, and were continued and improved in 
the Parliament of England. Many modifications have 


been introduced by our general Constitution, by the 
I 


2 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


several States, and many more by the practices of the 
people. The principle underlying all is, however, the 
same, though each individual meeting must have special 
Rules for its own purposes. ; 


4. Importance of Debating Clubs.—Among the 
best fields for the exercise of educational discipline are 
debating clubs. Though many organizations of this 
kind frequently present little beyond a record of their 
meetings, with no serious or elevated purpose beyond 
the requirements of an ordinary pastime, yet when 
properly conducted, they are capable of splendid service 
in the cause of education. Open disputation is one 
method of testing the soundness of theory and detect- 
ing the disguises of error. Out of apparently simple 
differences of opinion there have originated mighty 
changes, social, civil, and religious. 

The capabilities of usefulness offered by debating 
associations may be summed up in the following con- 
siderations : 

First:—They are, when rightly managed, the best 
schools for training in logical expression. 

Second:—They furnish the best opportunities for 
the practice of deliberative oratory. ‘The appropriate 
fields for such oratory are wherever questions are to 
be discussed according to the will of the majority; as, 
in Congress, in State Legislatures, in City Councils, in 
Town Meetings, in Conventions of the Church, and in 
organized bodies of every description. They should 


Purpose of Debate and Parliamentary Law 3 


be conducted in a serious and courteous manner, free 
from exhibitions of conceit, frivolity and ignorance. 
They should stimulate a desire for the truth and show 
a proper respect for the opinions of others. 

Third :—They necessitate the acquisition of a great 
variety of useful knowledge. Students who never 
awoke under the discipline of school or college, have 
often shown, under the spur of debate, unquestionable 
signs of the most extraordinary mental capacity. In 
the transaction of debating societies much practical in- 
cidental information is imparted; such as that which 
grows out of the necessity, so frequently arising, of 
preparing in written form, Resolutions, Reports, and 
other documents. These require ability, acquired only 
from practice, for their prompt and proper execution. 
The preparation of such resolutions calls for the exer- 
cise of facility of expression, accuracy in statement, 
and an understanding of the matter in hand. 

Fourth:—They lead to familiar acquaintance with 
the practice of parliamentary law. ‘This is a kind of 
education which fits one for usefulness, where, without 
such fitting, all other qualifications are often compara- 
tively useless. 

Fifth:—It is a guarantee of order, of decency, of 
free speech, of fair decisions. It is a source of in- 
fluence where influence is everything, a defence of 
the right, when often the right has no other defence. 
When assembled, under the call of duty, for grave 
and important consultation, men are never in a more 


4. How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


elevated position. They form a “multitude of coun- 
selors in which there is safety.’’ A deliberative assem- 
bly to find favor with wise and good men, must have 
the essential element of good order. If the body is not 
under the guidance of some known and recognized 
rules of order, its members are like a ship at sea with- 
out chart, compass, or rudder. 


5. Essentials of a Good Debater.—Wherever the 
will of the people is the law of the land, there deliber- 
ative assemblies must often be convened to consider 
various topics of common interest. The Congress of 
the United States, the Legislatures of the several 
States, Town meetings, County gatherings, State or 
National Conventions, associations of persons—what- 
ever the purposes of the association—constitute delib- 
erative assemblies. In all these, propositions are 
submitted for consideration, discussed with freedom, 
and received, or rejected, according to the will of 
the body. To speak in a deliberative gathering, 
to enlighten and influence the minds of men engaged 
in the consideration of momentous affairs, may be the 
lot of every one. It is, therefore, the duty and the 
interest of every man to fit himself, as far as may be 
possible, to discharge this most important function. In 
view of this, it will be proper to notice some of the es- 
sentials of a good debater: 

(A) He must always endeavor to gain the good 
will of his audience, Since the will of his hearers is 


Purpose of Debate and Parliamentary Law 5 


the final court of justice, the power of persuasion 
should be brought to bear. Wit, humor, novelty, 
and beauty of expression should be cultivated, and 
graceful postures and gestures practiced. 

(B) He should be quick to discern those motives 
most likely to sway his auditors. Cicero says: ‘The 
discourse must be accommodated, not only to the truth, 
but also to the taste of the hearers.”’ There are two 
different descriptions of men; the one rude and ig- 
norant, who always set profit before honor; the other, 
polished and civilized, who prefer honor to everything. 
The young orator is not advised to appeal to the mo- 
tives of his hearers, whether high or low, in order to 
urge upon them what is wrong. But having what he 
believes to be a good object, he may appeal to any and 
every suitable motive to influence men to seek that 
object. 

(C) He should be a man of general intelligence. 
The great number of subjects acted upon in deliber- 
ative bodies, necessitates wide general information 
in a debater. Every kind of knowledge, or item of 
information, is of practical value to him; whether at 
a Village Meeting, discussing the expediency of mak- 
ing a road or building a bridge; at a Convention, argu- 
ing the need for a change in the Constitution of the 
State; among the friends of education, assembled to 
consider the ways and means of improving the moral 
and intellectual condition of the masses; in some Ec- 
clesiastical Synod, or Council, or Convention; or in 


6 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


Congress, debating questions of law, of tariff, of reve- 
nue, of treaties, of peace, of war, etc. In short, with 
the debater ““Knowledge Is Power.” 

(D) He should aim at simplicity of style, clear- 
ness of logic, and earnestness of manner. He must 
speak plainly, earnestly, feelingly. Familiarity with 
his theme will enable him to be fluent in speech. Where 
there is no underlying beauty and sublimity of thought, 
it is ridiculous to indulge in beauty and sublimity of 
language. 

(E) He should endeavor to have his thoughts and 
feelings so absorbed in his theme, as to free his de- 
livery from every appearance of being studied and 
artificial. If he fully understands and feels the force 
of his theme, he will not likely employ false tones, 
wrong emphasis, or awkward, inappropriate gestures. 
He should be careful not to withdraw attention to him- 
self while speaking from his subject, as, for instance, 
thinking of the probable effect of his tones or his atti- 
tudes. He should deal wholly with those emotions and 
sentiments on which alone a truly natural delivery de- 
pends. 

(F) He should be perfectly familiar with the rules 
of Parliamentary Practice. The applications of Par- 
liamentary Law give rise to the most spirited debates, 
and their discussion involves very important interests 
It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the de- 
bater be acquainted with the recognized rules and 
modes of transacting business in assemblies whose 


Purpose of Debate and Parliamentary Law 7 


opinions, feelings and votes, it is his purpose to sway. 

(G) He must be a good extemporaneous speaker. 
This is absolutely essential to the character of a good 
debater. Excellency of speech is no exclusive gift of 
genius; but it is always more or less the fruit of prac- 
tice. Most men, who try, seldom fail to acquire the 
art of extemporaneous speaking after determined prac- 
tice. 

When a person speaks confusedly and obscurely, 
there is in his thoughts at the time a corresponding 
lack of order and clearness. This confusion and ob- 
scurity of thought may be due to a variety of causes. 
Ignorance of the subject, lack of preparation, or an ill- 
disciplined mind will be found to be the real causes of 
almost all failures at extemporaneous speaking. The 
presence of a numerous audience or particular individ- 
uals who are dreaded as critics, a contemptuous bear- 
ing in an opponent, or a false vanity in himself, often 
prevents the speaker from delivering a connected dis- 
course. These sources of failure are quite removable 
by care, study and effort. 

Confusion of ideas and inability to speak clearly, if 
arising from physical causes, may usually be remedied 
by medical treatment and hygienic measures. 


6. Extemporaneous Speaking.—We shall here give 
five rules, which, if rightly followed, will be of great 
assistance when speaking extemporaneously : 

First :—Endeavor always to think clearly and me- 


8 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


thodically. Thinking and speaking stand in the rela- 
tion of cause and effect. When the mind thinks in 
an orderly manner, the tongue, which is under the 
guidance of the mind, utters words in a corresponding 
style. The young speaker should often select, as an 
intellectual gymnastic, some debatable subject for the 
exercise of his mental powers, dealing with it as witha 
thing of reality, and endeavoring to acquire an inter- 
est, and, if possible, an enthusiasm, in its management.? 
He should consider in how many ways the point which 
he wishes to make can be presented and defended, and 
among these, which is the most likely to be fully 
understood and fairly appreciated. Let him then try 
the experiment of putting the whole process into ex- 
temporaneous language. Frequent repetitions of this 
exercise will prove a healthful stimulus to renewed ex- 
ertion. 

Second :—Always use the best possible language for 
the expression of your ideas, even in ordinary conversa- 
tion. Conversation with refined and educated persons 
affords the best exercise in oral expression. Good 
language as well as good manners is corrupted by evil 


1“T owe my success in life,” says Henry Clay, “to one single 
fact, that, at an early age, I commenced and continued for some 
years, the practice of daily reading and speaking the contents of 
some historical or scientific book. These off-hand efforts were 
sometimes made in a cornfield; another, in the forest; and not 
unfrequently in some distant barn, with the horse and ox for my 
only auditors. It is to this early practice of the art of all arts 
that I am indebted for the primary and leading impulses that 
stimulated my progress, and have shaped and molded my destiny.” 


Purpose of Debate and Parliamentary Law 9 


associations. In daily intercourse with others, always 
be careful to catch that which is correct and avoid what- 
ever is vulgar and inaccurate. 

Third :—Read often and carefully the best speci- 
mens of speeches and addresses. While doing this the 
student should become familiar with the nature of the 
proposition advocated or opposed; his own personal 
relations to it; the character or constitution of the body 
addressed; the time, place, and circumstances wherein 
the speech was delivered. 

Fourth :—E-vercise your powers often in the practice 
of written composition. An excellent practice to im- 
prove in written composition is to read carefully a pas- 
sage from some great oration or other literary produc- 
tion, getting the substance of it fairly in the memory, 
and then putting it again into the best language you 
can command. Another admirable method of acquir- 
ing precision of style is to read a given passage from a 
writer of established reputation, and then to express, 
in words other than those of the author, the same idea. 

Fifth:—Be always diligent in the acquisition of 
knowledge. To insure success the genuine orator 
should be acquainted with every department of knowl- 
edge. Many persons, relying upon a certain natural 
fluency, are apt to fall into the bad habit of trying to 
speak without knowing or having anything to say. 


CHAPTER II. 
HOW TO ORGANIZE A MEETING. 


1. Preliminary Proceedings.—A call for a delib- 
erative meeting of any kind should always be signed. 
The person signing the advertisement frequently calls 
the meeting to order and leads in the organization; 
any one, however, may lead. A call for a public meet- 
ing should always state clearly its purpose. 

The usual manner of organizing a temporary meet- 
ing is as follows: 

A call having been made by advertisement, or other- 
wise, the citizens gather at the appointed time and 
place. Usually the person who called the meeting pre- 
sides. He addresses the assembly, suggesting the 
need of coming to order and the necessity of their pro- 
ceeding. He moves that Mr. act as chairman 
of the meeting. The meeting comes to order, the 
motion is made and seconded. ‘The matter is then put 
to a vote. The chairman thus elected, takes the stand, 
announces that the election of officers will now be in 
order, and suggests the nomination of some suitable 
person for secretary. Upon his election, the other nec- 


essary officers are chosen. After which, measures are 
10 


How to Organize a Meeting II 


at once taken to create either a permanent or a tempor- 
ary organization. 


2. Example of a Temporary Organization. 

Mr, Benner (rising and addressing the assembly).— 
Ladies and Gentlemen: Inasmuch as there are a goodly num- 
ber of us present and the appointed hour is here, probably 
it will be well for us to proceed to our work; in considera- 
tion of which things I move that Mr. Benardo Phillips be 
our chairman. 

Mr. StaLti.—I second the motion. 

Mr. BeNNeET.—You have heard the motion; as many as are 
in favor of Mr. Phillips acting as chairman of this meeting 
say “AYE” (those persons in favor of this now respond). 
Those opposed say “No” (opposing members vote). Mr. 
Phillips is elected chairman. 

Mr. PHILLIps (advancing to the front of the room and 
taking the chair).—My Friends: I am indeed thankful for 
the honor you have shown me, and shall try to serve you as 
best I can. That no time may be lost, let us proceed at once 
to complete the organization. Electing a secretary will 
now be in order. 

Mr. Jones.—Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. Puitires.—Mr. Jones. 

Mr. Jones.—I move that Mr. Lewis act as secretary of 
this meeting. 

Mr. Wricut.—I second that motion. 

Mr. PHILLIPS.—You have heard the motion; as many as 
are in favor of it say “AYE” (members respond). Those 
opposed say “No” (opposing vote). 

Mr. Lewis is elected secretary. 

We are now organized and shall proceed at once to the 
object of the meeting. Doubtless you all came knowing the 
importance, not only of this, but of all similar occasions. I 


12 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


trust that the teachings of this hour may send us forth with a 
new impetus for our work, and that the time may not to any 
one, be spent in vain. 

I now have the pleasure of introducing to you Col. Dan- 
ford, who will address you. (Colonel speaks.) 


3. A Permanent Organization.—The mode of ap- 
pointing a chairman and other officers is similar to 
that for a temporary meeting (given in preceding 
topic). A meeting temporarily organized may be 
converted into a permanent organization by passing 
a resolution to that effect and providing, also by reso- 
lution, for the appointment of a committee to draft 
and report a constitution for the proposed society. 
The constitution, when duly accepted and adopted, 
should be signed by all the persons adopting it, and 
should fix the conditions on which other persons might 
afterward be admitted to membership. 


4. Commencing Business (temporary meeting ).— 
The president announces that the meeting being duly 
organized is now ready for business. Business may 
be introduced by the presentation of petitions, memo- 
rials, or other papers, emanating from persons not be- 
longing to the body, or by calling for the report of 
committees. 

If the meeting has been called for some specific ob- 
ject, the proper course is for some one to rise and move 
that a committee be appointed to draft resolutions ex- 
pressive of the sense of the assembly. During the 


How to Organize a Meeting 13 


time the committee is engaged in this duty, it is usual 
to call on some suitable person present to address the 
meeting. At the conclusion of his remarks, the com- 
mittee, if ready, present their report. When resolu- 
tions have been previously prepared, they are presented 
in due form, without the intervention of a committee. 

A permanent organization. Calling the members to. 
order, the presiding officer directs the secretary to call 
the roll, and then proceeds to ascertain whether or not 
a quorum is present. ‘This is a term applied in legisla- 
tive and other deliberative bodies to such a number of 
members as may be declared necessary to give validity 
to any business proceeding. Where there is no special 
regulation to the contrary, a quorum consists of a ma- 
jority of the members. This regulation is very essen- 
tial because, otherwise, a few members in the absence of 
the majority, might pass resolutions against the wishes 
of the assembly. 


CHARTERS 
DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS. 


1. Duties.—The duty of every member is to follow 
- strictly the rules of order. These various duties may 
be classified as follows: 

A. He should obtain the floor properly before speak- 
ing. When he wishes to make a motion, or to speak 
to the meeting upon any matter, he should first rise and 
address the presiding officer by his title “Mr. Chair- 
man,” or “Mr. President.” This officer responds by 
calling the member by name, thus recognizing him as in 
order. Should the speaker not be recognized, he 
should address the president again; if this does not 
avail, he should conclude that it will not be in order to 
speak at that time, and so yields the floor. /He should 
always yield the floor to calls of order. , 

B. He should avoid speaking upon any matter until 
it is properly brought before the house by a motion 
duly made, seconded, and stated. Much confusion and 
dissatisfaction are caused by a habit in which some 
members indulge, by saying, “J would like to suggest 
this,’ or “I would like to propose that,’ or “I would 
like to hear the opinion of the meeting upon this.” If 
several members rise and address the chair at once, the 

14 


Duties and Rights of Members 15 


president should grant the precedence to him whose 
voice is first heard. All such decisions are open to 
discussion, and the vote of the assembly may be taken 
thereupon. 

C. He should never designedly or heedlessly inter- 
rupt another member while speaking. Should such 
annoyances as hissing, coughing, stamping, whispering, 
or like disorderly conduct be indulged in, it is the duty 
of the presiding officer to restore order. If his appeals 
be of no avail, he should name the offending party, 
stating that he is guilty of improper behavior. The 
offending member may have a voice in vindication of 
his acts, and may then be requested to withdraw from 
the room, or may be permitted to remain, according to 
the will of the assembly. 

D. He should abstain from all personalities in de- 
bate. The language of every member should be free 
from offensive remarks. No indecent allusions or 
disorderly expressions should be indulged in. If an 
injured member chooses to make complaint on account 
of offensive language toward himself, action may be 
taken somewhat as follows: The member speaking is 
called to order, and the person complaining is called 
upon by the chair to give the offending words as ac- 
curately as possible; by the direction of the president 
these are noted down by the secretary. Should the 
presiding officer discover that the offense is unworthy 
of notice, he need proceed no further, unless it be to 
meet the manifest desire of the assembly. 


16 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


The words noted are read to the unruly member, 
who, if he acknowledges such to have been his lan- 
guage, and makes sufficient apology, may proceed with 
his speech. But, should the assembly desire it, action 
should be taken as to his guilt or innocence; if guilty, 
the kind and amount of punishment is decided upon. 


2. Rights of Members.—Any member has the right 
to offer any motion or resolution, provided that he 
observes the rules of order. The several rights of 
members may be classified as follows: 

A. A member has a right to offer in the proper way 
any motion or resolution which he may deem ex- 
pedient. He has also the right to discuss or explain a 
question, or motion, or any other subject brought up 
for consideration. 

B. He has the right to call to order, if necessary. 
Any member has the right to call to order another 
member who may be out of order, either in speaking 
at all, or in the matter and manner of his speaking. 
The president should take cognizance of all such 
actions, and any member has the right to assist and 
sustain him in such work. 

C. He has the privilege to hold the floor, when 
legally obtained, until through speaking. CUSHING 
says: “When a member has obtained the floor, he 


1 Concerning disorderly words, action should be taken as soon 
as they are noticed. No action is to be taken in the case, if busi- 
ness transactions intervene between the offense and the complaint. 


Duties and Rights of Members 17 


can not be cut off from addressing the assembly on the 
question before it; nor, when speaking, can he be in- 
terrupted in his speech by any other member rising and 
moving an adjournment or any privileged motion. It 
being a general rule that a member in possession of 
the floor can not be taken down or interrupted, but by 
a call to order; and the question of order being de- 
cided, he is still to be heard through. Any of the 
above actions are themselves breaches of order, and, 
although they may be an exponent of the impatience 
of the members, yet the speaker may continue if he 
choose.” 

The presiding officer himself may not interrupt a 
member on the floor, except on question of order. 

When a member yields the floor for any other pur- 
pose than a point of order, he can not, of a right, claim 
it again, though custom may permit him to do so. 

D. He may appeal from the decision of the chair to 
that of the Assembly. The process is somewhat as 
follows: The chairman having rendered a decision, 
the member taking exception thereto rises and appeals 
to the assembly for its decision; if the matter be un- 
important the president himself at once puts the ques- 
tion, “Shall the decision of the chair be the decision of 
the assembly?” and the chairman and house abide by 
that decision. If the matter be an important one, he 
had better resign the chair to the vice-president, if there 
be one; if not, the members should elect a chairman. 
The president has a right to be heard in defense of 


18 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


himself, so has the assembly for itself, and then the 
vote is taken. Whether the assembly does or does not 
sustain the decision, he at once resumes the position of 
presiding officer. 


3. Review Outline—Duties and Rights of Mem- 
bers.—The following diagram illustrates at one view 
the duties and rights of members: 


To obtain the floor before speaking. 

To stand when speaking, if convenient. 

To avoid speaking upon any matter until it 
is properly brought before the house by a 
motion. 

To keep upon the question then pending. 

To yield the floor to calls for order. 

To abstain from all personalities in debate. 

To avoid disturbing in any way, speakers of 
the assembly. 

To refrain from all words and acts of in- 
decency. 


Duties of 


MEMBERS. 


To offer any motion or resolution to the as- 
sembly. 

To explain or discuss that motion, or any 
matter properly before the meeting. 

Rights of 4 To call to order, if necessary. 

To hold the floor, when legally obtained, till 
through speaking. 

To appeal from the decision of the chair to 
that of the assembly. 


CAE TREN: 
DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 


Following is an outline of the various duties of the 
several officers of deliberative assemblies: 


DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT. 


A. To call the assembly to order. It is also his duty 
to keep the meeting in order till adjourned. 

B. To preside impartially over the deliberations of 
the assembly; and to certify, when necessary, to all 
papers and proceedings. Communications are usually 
addressed to the secretary, or the corresponding secre- 
tary, if there be one; but it is the duty of the president 
_to recognize all such communications, and to be fully 
posted as to the nature and extent of the assembly’s 
proceedings. 

C. To sustain decorum, by enforcing the rules of 
order as long as the assembly supports him in so do- 
ing and to see that the officers perform their duties. 
He should be kind and courteous, and should main- 
tain due decorum among the members. All ques- 
tions ‘of order are referred at once to him, and he should 
give his decision pointedly, enforcing it, unless there 
be an appeal to the house. A presiding officer should 

19 


20 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


not permit members to dispute with him, and such 
practices should not be tolerated. 

D. To put all questions to vote, and to announce 
the result ; also to state the business in its order. 

E. To submit, in an orderly way, all motions, 
propositions, or petitions, made by members, and to 
explain them so that they will be fully understood. 
When the vote is taken, he announces to the assembly 
that the ayes or noes have it, as the case may be. 

IF. To decide a tie vote. The president does not 
vote except for this special purpose. He can not be 
compelled to vote, but a refusal on his part would show 
indecision and an inability to meet the emergency of 
the case. 

G. To sometimes appoint committees. When so 
directed or required, he is to appoint by name the 
members that are to serve on committees; to take 
measures that such committees discharge their duties; 
and at all meetings, whether stated or special, to call 
for their reports, if due, and also to see that these are 
presented to the meeting in proper form. 

H. To see that the constitution and by-laws are fully 
enforced. 

I. To give his signature, when necessary, to all acts 
and proceedings. 


DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT. 


A. He is to take the chair in the absence of the pres- 
ident, or when the president leaves the chair to take 


Duties of Officers 21 


part in the proceedings. In case there is no vice- 
president, any one may be called to act in that capacity. 
When a motion is made referring to the president ex- 
clusively, or nearly so, it should be put by the vice- 
president, if he is occupying his official seat ; otherwise 
by the clerk. 


DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 


A. He ts to keep a record of the proceedings of the 
society; to keep the “minutes,” which consists in re- 
cording accurately and fully the acts done in the as- 
sembly; to make entries of those things only which 
have been voted upon and passed, except where a 
motion may prevail to the effect that the matter in 
question lie on the table, in which case the first motion 
will have to be mentioned, in order to know what that 
matter was. It is not in conformity to parliamentary 
demands for the secretary to put into the journal sum- 
maries of the things done.? 


1In the absence of a rule, however, all principal motions should 
be recorded, even though they do not prevail. Among other 
things, the minutes should state time and place (when variable) 
of meeting; whether regular or special; adjourned regular or 
adjourned special; officers present, officers absent, and appoint- 
ments pro tem.; the names of speakers on each side of all meas- 
ures; the number of votes on each side, in case of a division; 
whether the minutes of previous meeting were approved; the 
hours at which the assembly convened and adjourned. When the 
occupant of the chair is changed during the meeting, it should be 
noted in the minutes. No part of the minutes can be omitted 
except by unanimous consent, but the journal may be corrected 
by a majority vote. 


22 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


B. To call to order in the absence of officers enti- 
tled to the chair, and to preside until the election of a 
chairman pro tempore, which should be immediately. 

C. To call the roll, and note absentees, or in voting 
by yeas and nays, to record the vote of each member. 

D. To announce the receipt of all papers addressed 
to the assembly; and to certify, when necessary, to all 
papers and proceedings. 

E. To write all letters, orders, etc., as the society 
may direct.” 

F. To read the journal, or minutes of previous 
meeting, also such papers as are ordered to be read, 
rising for the purpose. 

G. To prepare the credentials of delegates or rep- 
resentatives. The credentials should state the pre- 
cedence of each by numbers, commencing with the one 
having the highest number of votes. When two or 
more candidates receive the same number of votes, they 
rank in the order of nomination. This rule applies 
also to alternates. -A member elected to fill a vacancy 
takes the same rank as the one whose place he supplies. 

H. To notify committees of their appointment and 
to furnish them with necessary papers. 

I. To give his signature when necessary. ‘The secre- 
tary’s signature should be upon all the writings—some- 
times with, and sometimes without, that of the pres- 
ident. 


2 Correspondence with individuals or other societies is usually 
the duty of a corresponding secretary. 


Duties of Officers eae 


DUTIES OF THE TREASURER. 


A. To receive and hold all moneys due the organ- 
ization, and to pay it out only on its orders, signed 
by the president and clerk. He must keep accounts 
in detail of all moneys received and paid out. In case 
there is a financial clerk, the clerk receives and the 
treasurer disburses. 

B. To report in full for all moneys whenever the 
society may ask; to give a clear and correct statement 
of its financial condition. 


DUTIES OF THE SUBSTITUTES. 


The president may appoint or the assembly may 
elect an officer pro tem. When it is necessary for the 
president to vacate the chair in the absence of a vice- 
president or other officer authorized to preside, he 
may appoint or the assembly may elect a chairman pro 
tem. On the arrival of a permanent officer entitled to 
the office, the one so selected may yield the chair, but he 
can be compelled to do so before the close of the sit- 
ting only by vote of the assembly. The place of a 
pro tem. officer is liable to be vacated at any time by 
the election of a pro tem. successor. 


REVIEW OUTLINE. 


The following classification shows at a glance the 
usual officers and their respective duties: 


24. How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


OFFICERS AND DUTIES. 


To call to order. 

To sustain order. 

To explain and decide all questions of 
order. 

To announce all business. 

To receive all communications. 

To sometimes appoint committees. 

To state all motions. 

To put all questions to vote and give 
result. 

To decide a tie vote. 

To give his signature when necessary. 


President..... 


Vice-President } In absence of president to take the chair. 


To keep a record of proceedings. 

To write all letters, orders, etc. 

To call the roll and mark the absentees. 

To call the roll and register the votes 
when yeas and nays are taken. 

To read the minutes of previous meeting. 

To read all papers and documents. 

To notify committees of their appoint- 
ment and business. 

To give his signature when necessary. 

To keep charge of all documents be- 
longing to the society. 


Secretary .'. .4' 


Corresponding ¢To conduct all correspondence with in- 
Secretary dividuals or societies. 


To receive and hold all moneys due the 
organization. 

To disburse all moneys as the society 
may direct. 

To report in full for all moneys as often 
as the society may ask. 


Treasurer.... 


GHABTER AV: 
RULES OF ORDER. 


1. A Deliberative Assembly.—A deliberative as- 
sembly is an organized meeting of persons convened 
to discuss, and decide upon, questions or propositions 
submitted to their consideration. 


2. An Organized Meeting.—This means an as- 
semblage of persons brought together for delibera- 
tion, provided with suitable officers, and otherwise 
arranged so as to give each member a fair opportunity 
to take due part in the proceedings. 


3. Officers.—The officers necessary for a delibera- 
tive body are: 

A PRESIDING OFFICER and a SECRETARY, or CLERK; 
but others may be appointed, depending upon the char- 
acter of the meeting. Thus, there may be one or more 
vice-presidents, one or more secretaries, a:correspond- 
ing secretary, and a treasurer. 

The presiding officer in a deliberative body may have 
different titles. In the Senate of the United States, he 
is termed president; in the House of Representatives, 
speaker ; in certain ecclesiastical organizations, modera- 

25 


26 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


tor; in ordinary meetings, resulting from a published 
call, chairman. President is the name most compre- 
hensive, and the one most commonly employed in 
literary and other societies. The title commonly used 
in women’s societies is Madame President. 

How Elected. The officers of a deliberative as- 
sembly should be elected by a majority * of the voters, 
as this method gives less room for dissatisfaction. In 
many places it is customary to elect by a plurality of 
votes. 

In the election of persons to office, the principle 
of a majority is sometimes adopted, and sometimes 
that of a plurality. Where the plurality principle is 
adopted, the candidate having the highest number of 
votes is, of course, elected. Where several persons 
are to be chosen at the same time, for the same office, 
those having respectively the highest number of votes, 
are duly elected. Thus, if three individuals are to be 
elected trustees of a corporation, and five candidates in 
the field receive respectively 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 
votes, the last three are held to be elected. Where the 


1 The greater of two unequal portions of any total is called the 
majority. But the word is sometimes employed to denote the 
greatest of any number of unequal parts into which the whole 
may be divided. For the sake of ready distinction, however, the 
greater only of two unequal divisions of any total is called a 
majority; while the greatest of any number more than two of 
such divisions, is termed a plurality. Thus, if 20 be divided into 
the two unequal parts, 15 and 5, 15 will be the majority. Divide 
the same number into three parts, 10, 7, 3, and 10 will be the 
plurality. 


Rules of Order 27 


principle of a majority is employed, the successful 
candidate must have a majority of all the votes cast, 
that is, he must have more votes than all the rest of the 
candidates put together. 


4. Rules of Order.—All business in deliberative 
assemblies is transacted in conformity with certain 
rules and regulations, which experience has shown to 
be fit and necessary for that purpose. 


5. Advantage of Rules of Order.—The object of 
a deliberative assembly is to obtain a free expression 
of opinion, and a fair decision of the question dis- 
cussed. ‘Without rules of order, this object would, 
in most cases, be utterly defeated; for there would be 
no uniformity in the modes of proceeding, no restraint 
upon disorderly conduct, no protection of the rights and 
privileges of members, no guarantee against the unjust 
rulings of a presiding officer, no safeguard against 
tyrannical majorities, nor any suitable regard to the 
rights of a minority.” 


6. Rules of Order Essentially the Same.—The 
rules of order in our state legislatures are substantially 


3 Under the plurality principle, when two or more candidates 
have an equal number of votes for the same office, where one per- 
son only is to be elected, there is no election, and a new trial must 
be had. This is the rule, unless, as is provided in some places, 
the returning officers, or some other tribunal, be empowered to 
decide between the rival candidates. Under the majority principle, 
when the total of votes cast is an even number, its half increased 
by one, is the number necessary to a choice. Thus, if the whole 
number be 15, the number that elects is 8; if the whole number be 
16, the number that elects is 8 increased by 1, that is, 9. 


28 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


the same as those adopted in the National Congress; 
being, indeed, founded thereupon; but they differ in 
some particulars. 

As the rules in the several state legislatures differ 
in some points from those in Congress, on which they 
were founded, so do they differ frequently from one 
another; though in all the essentials of the common 
code, they are quite in harmony. The rules of order 
in most other deliberative bodies in this country are, 
in the main, the same with those in the National Con- 
gress or in the state legislatures; so that, in almost all 
fundamental points, there is great uniformity of 
practice. Hence, in allusion to the origin of the code 
of rules and regulations, thus generally established, it 
is often called THE CoMMON CODE OF PARLIAMENTARY 
Law.” 


7. Special Rules.—It is usual for deliberative bod- 
ies of every kind, especially permanent organizations, 
to adopt, in addition to the common code, a series of 
special rules. These special rules take the precedence, 
if they conflict with the ordinary parliamentary laws. 


8. Resolutions.—The decisions or resolves of a 
deliberative assembly, which properly constitute their 
acts, are usually embodied and affirmed in formal 
declarations, called resolutions. On motion, these 
resolutions are duly recorded and stated from the chair, 
freely discussed, and then decided affirmatively or neg- 
atively by the meeting. 


Rules of Order 29 


9. “On Motion, Duly Seconded.”—Whenever 
a member wishes to get the sense, or judgment 
of the body on any given proposition, and, for 
that purpose, moves or proposes its adoption, he is said 
to make a motion. To move a resolution is simply to 
offer it for consideration. A resolution can not find 
favor unless it meets with a second. To second a 
motion is to join with the proposer thereof, as his aid 
or second, in offering it to the consideration of the 
meeting. The party moving the resolution addresses 
the chair as follows: “Mr. President, I beg leave to 
offer the following resolution;’ which he then reads 
aloud. The party seconding simply says: “J second 
the motion.” 


to. “Motion” and “Resolution.”—These words 
may signify, respectively, either the act of mov- 
ing or that which is moved, the act of resolving 
or that which is resolved. These two terms are gen- 
erally used synonymously. 

All business in a deliberative assembly should be in- 
troduced by means of a motion. When adopted by 
the body, it becomes an order, or resolution, or law, 
or whatever else may be its appropriate name. 


11. Decisions, How Made.—The decisions in a 
deliberative assembly are commonly made by open 
vote; often, also, by ballot. 

There is also another mode of taking the question, 
which is called taking the question by yeas and nays. 


30 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


12. Difference between a Vote and a Ballot.— 
Vote means a vow, wish, or will. It signifies a choice, 
or preference, in relation to matters submitted for de- 
cision, or for persons proposed for office. It may be 
. made viva voce; by raising the hand; and, besides vari- 
ous other ways, by ballot, whose primary meaning is a 
little ball. To vote by ballot, then, is to signify one’s 
choice by throwing into a box, a ball so colored, or 
otherwise marked, as to indicate an affirmative or neg- 
ative vote. Instead of ballots, however, tickets are 
now generally used, having yes or no, or a candidate’s 
name thereon. 


13. Questions, How Determined.—Where there 
is no special rule to the contrary, a majority of votes 
determines a question. In certain cases, however, 
other proportions are required, as, two-thirds or three- 
fourths; or, as is sometimes the case, a mere plurality. 


14. Oral and Written Motions.—Every mo- 
tion calling for special care and deliberation should 
be in writing; but motions merely affecting the 
order of business, or other subordinate matters, are 
usually oral. 


15. Difference in “Voted,” “Ordered,” and “Re- 
solved.”—The terms are synonymous as far as they all 
indicate what has been done or decided upon. : 

Resolved, however, is the term most generally used; 
“yoted’ prevails chiefly in the New England States, 


Rules of Order 31 


while “ordered” is confined mainly to religious organ- 
izations, 


16. Submitting a Question.—At the close of a 
debate or deliberation, the presiding officer asks: 
“Is the assembly ready for the question?’ If no 
one signifies a desire further to discuss or consider 
the subject, he then proceeds to submit the question 
thus: “As many as are im favor of the adoption of 
the resolution, will signify it by saying “Aye.” Then, 
pausing a moment to hear the response, he adds: 
“Those of the contrary opinion will say ‘No? ” 

The answer on both sides being duly given, the 
president announces the result; saying, “The ayes 
have it,” or “The noes have it,’ as the case may be. 


17. No Decision, or, President’s Decision Ques- 
tioned.—If, after the vote is given, the presi- 
dent is unable to decide, or if, after he has 
announced the result, his decision is questioned, he 
should so divide or arrange the assembly as to allow 
the votes on each side to be accurately counted. This 
may be done by directing the ayes and the noes respec- 
tively to take different sides of the room; or by first 
requesting the ayes to stand up in their places long 
enough to be numbered, and then calling upon the noes 
to do the same thing; or by asking the ayes each to 
raise the right hand, and as soon as these have been 
counted, inviting the noes to signify likewise. The 
president then counts, or appoints tellers to count, the 


32 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


votes on each side respectively, and announces the true 
result. 


18. The Casting Vote.—If, on any question, the 
members are equally divided, the president must give 
the casting, or determining vote. 


19. Voting Obligatory.—Every member present 
at the time when a question is duly submitted for 
decision, is bound to give his vote for, or against, 
the pending proposition, unless excused at his own re- 
quest ; but an excuse is clearly against duty in the case. 


20. Question by Yeas and Nays.—lIt is some- 
times thought proper to record the names of mem- 
bers in connection with the votes they give for or 
against a proposition. To do this, the question is thus 
stated ; “As many as are in favor of the resolution (or 
whatever it is) will, as their names are called, answer, 
‘Yes; and as many as are opposed to tt, will an- 
swer “No,.’” 

The roll is then called by the clerk or secretary, and 
as each member answers yes, or no, the answer is noted 
or marked opposite his name; and, to afford opportunity 
for the correction of mistakes, the names of the voters 
on each side are again read, and then the result is for- 
mally declared by the president. 


21. Re-Opening the Discussion.—It is always 
in order, even after the voting has been commenced, 


Rules of Order 33 


to renew the debate; unless the vote is taken by the 
yeas and nays. 

In case of a renewal of the debate after the affrma- 
tive has been put, the question when again submitted, ~ 
must be put both in the affirmative and the negative; 
for the new discussion may have brought new light, 
and, besides, members not present before may have 
since entered. So long as the question remains under 
debate every one has a right to a vote one way or the 
other, as he pleases. 


22. Difficulty on a Point of Order.—All dif- 
ficulties on points of order arising during a division, 
the president is to dispose of by a peremptory decision. 
Such decisions, if improper, are afterward subject to 
censure or correction. 


23. Non-Decision.—I{, while a question is being 
decided, the number of members present falls below 
that required for a quorum, no decision can be had. 
In that event the matter remains just as it was before 
the decision was ordered or undertaken, and when re- 
sumed must be continued from that point. 


CHAPTER VL 
ORDER OF BUSINESS. 


1. The Quorum.—In every deliberative organiza- 
tion a certain number of the members must be present 
before it will be in order to transact any business. 
This number thus required to be present is called @ quo- 
yum. Where there are no special regulations to the 
contrary, a quorum consists of a majority of the mem- 
bers of the organization. But, it is very common and 
better for special enactments to be taken, making a 
third or a fourth or ten of the members the number to 
form the quorum for ordinary business, and a much 
greater number for the changing of a rule, or such 
measures. 


2. Order of Exercises.—The following is appropri- 
ate for many societies: 


(1.) Roll of officers and pro tem. appointments. 
(2.) Reading and approving journal. 
(3.) Election to membership. 
(4.) Propositions for membership. (Usually acted on at 
a future meeting.) 
(5.) Reports of officers and committees. 
(6.) Special orders (including elections). 
34 


Order of Business 35 


(7.) Unfinished business. 
(8.) Communications and new business. 


A standing rule, or order of business affords several 
important advantages: It saves time; it secures to 
each topic its proper place; and, therefore, prevents 
disputes about precedency, and so facilitates the trans- 
action of business. A rule fixing the order of busi- 
ness, like any other rule, may, upon proper occasion, of 
course, be suspended. 


3. The Call to Order.—The presiding officer 
taking the chair, announces that “the members will 
please come to order.’ The members seat them- 
selves and give attention to the president, who, guided 
by the order of exercises, announces to the meeting that 
such and such things are in order. 


4. Calling the Roll—Members present respond, 
and the recording secretary notes the fact, also 
marks absentees. In large assemblies, and where 
many may come into the room after the meeting has 
progressed somewhat, it is customary to call the roll 
again just before adjournment, so that every member 
present can be credited with his attendance. 


5. Reading and Approving Journal.—After the 
reading of the minutes, it is customary for a for- 
mal motion of approval to be made and submitted; 
but such formal action does not appear to be neces- 
sary, unless some error is detected in them. There- 


36 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


fore, where no mistake is discovered, it is quite 
sufficient for the presiding officer to say in substance: 
“What is the pleasure of the meeting in regard to the 
minutes which have just been read? If there be no 
objections, they will be considered as approved.” 
Should there be no‘objections, he simply adds: “The 
minutes, then, stand approved.” 

Error in minutes.t| When an error is detected in 
the minutes, a motion is made to correct, and the cor- 
rection being made, the presiding officer, in submitting 
the question says: “Shall the minutes, as corrected, be 
approved?” If decided in the affirmative, he simply 
announces the result. 


6. Specimen Journal Entries.—Proceedings of a 
sitting. Following is given a sample of a common 
form for minutes of a debating club: 


JANUARY II, 1926. 

Society met and was called to order by the chairman, 
Mr. Hamilton. The roll was called and all responded, ex- 
cept Miss Fanny Jones. The minutes of previous meeting 
were read, and approved as read. Under miscellaneous busi- 
ness, on motion of Mr. Gray, fifty dollars of the society’s 
funds were voted to procure books as additions to the 
library; a committee of three: George Jennings, Mary Smith 
and Harry Williams, was appointed with instructions to 
examine and report as to the condition of the society’s 
library, and the books and other things most needed. No 


1The minutes should, properly, contain account of nothing be- 
yond the acts of the body—what they do by motions, orders, or 
resolutions. 


Order of Business 37 


unfinished business. The committee on procuring a room 
for the society’s better convenience, reported progress. 

After a spirited discussion, the following resolution was 
adopted: “Whereas, We believe that a higher law than that 
of force or threat can be sustained in all our schools: 
Resolved, therefore, that corporal punishment be abolished 
from them.” Criticisms were given. Philip Sidney was 
elected president and Miss Sallie Frazier, secretary, for the 
next meeting. Program was arranged, after which, on 
motion of Mr. Ellis, the society adjourned. 

J. A. HAMILTON, President. 


WALTER Brown, Secretary. 


(1.) Criticisms of the minutes. 

CuHair.—You have heard the minutes. Are there any 
objections? 

Mr. Ross.—Mr. Chairman, I detect one or two slight errors 
in the journal; the date is wrong; it should be the 11th; 
and Fanny Jones should be Ella Brown. I move the cor- 
rections be made. 

Mr. Hunt.—I second the motion. 

CuHair.—You have heard the motion to correct the min- 
utes. Are you ready for the question? 

MEMBERS.—Question ! 

Cuair.—Those favoring the motion, say aye! (They vote.) 
Those opposed, say vo! It is carried unanimously. Any fur- 
ther objections? (None.) The minutes now stand approved. 


7. Introduction of Petitions, Memorials, Etc.—A 
petition should be signed unless the petitioner is present. 
The member presenting it should state briefly its nature, 
and be able to assure the assembly, if required, that its 
language is not disrespectful. He, or any other mem- 


38 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


ber, may then move to receive it. If received, the 
member sends or takes it to the clerk, who proceeds to 
read it. If the motion to receive is tabled, the petition 
is retained by the member offering it. Communica- 
tions intrusted to members, or directed to the clerk or 
president, may be presented in a similar manner. 

A petition or other communication should always be 
presented by a member specially intrusted with that 
service by the parties from whom it originates, or by 
others immediately interested in its contents. Letters 
and other ordinary communications, however, are 
usually handed to the president, and by him or by the 
secretary read without further formality. 

A. Further action upon petitions, etc. If received 
and duly read, the presiding officer asks what action 
shall be taken upon it; whereupon, a motion for that 
purpose being made, it is either acted upon immediately, 
or set for a particular time, or referred to a committee, 
or else postponed indefinitely. 


8. Reports from Committees.—Commencing with 
first on the list, the presiding officer asks: “Js 
the committee on (naming the subject) ready to 
report?” The chairman of that committee or his sub- 
stitute then rises, and, if prepared to report, says: 
“The committee, Mr. President, to whom was referred 
the subject (naming it) have had the matter under 
consideration, and have intrusted me to deliver a re- 


Order of Business 39 


port, which is ready to be presented whenever the as- 
sembly is pleased to receive it.’ 

Unless some objection is raised, to receiving the re- 
port or unless it is deemed expedient to fix some other 
time for receiving it, no motion to receive it is nec- 
essary. 

After being received, the report and all other papers 
connected with it, are put in charge of the secretary; 
the president then asks: “What order shall be taken 
on the report which has just been read?’ Members 
then may make motions, either to accept, adopt, amend,” 
recommit, or to make any other regular disposition of 
it whatever. 

A. Effect of motion to accept or adopt. The paper 
thereby becomes the statement, or sentiment of the as- 
sembly itself; for the acts and judgments of the com- 
mittee, when once adopted in due form, are, by that 
circumstance, made the acts and judgments of the body, 
under whose orders they undertook the consideration of 
the subject. 

B. Acceptance of report and resolutions separately. 
It is in order to move the acceptance of a report and 
the adoption of the resolutions thereto appended, sep- 
arately. It is, in fact, better to accept the report by 
a regular motion to that effect, and then adopt the res- 
olutions, if satisfactory, by a separate vote. In the 


2 It is, however, a disputed point, whether or not the report of 
a committee can be amended by the assembly. 


40 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


recommendations of a committee we have a direct ex- 
pression of the conclusions to which they have been led, 
and therefore a distinct motion to adopt these. 

C. The terms “Accept” and “Apopt.” When ap- 
plied generally to a report or other document submitted © 
to a deliberative body, these terms are usually under- 
stood to mean the same thing. It is better, however, 
to confine the term “adopt” to that act by which the as- 
sembly directly and distinctly take, and treat as their 
own the resolutions or recommendations of a report, or 
other like document. The term “accept” is employed 
in relation to papers containing statements of facts, ar- 
guments, or reasonings, from which conclusions are tc 
be reached. 

D. Report referred for alteration. When the re- 
port of a committee is merely a paper with amend- 
ments, the chairman of the committee reads the 
amendments, explains the reasons for the alterations, 
if necessary, so as to show all the changes proposed. 

When taken up for consideration, the amendments 
only are read by the secretary. The president then 
reads each in course, and submits them successively 
to vote. 


g. Offer of Other Amendments.—It is not al- 
lowable for members to offer other amendments 
while engaged in disposing of amendments proposed 
by the committee, except an amendment to an amend- 
ment. 


Order of Business 41 


A. Opportumty for amendments. Before putting 
the question on the whole paper, the president waits a 
moment to hear other amendments, which are then in 
order. 


10. Time for Minority Report.—Strictly speak- 
ing, there can be no such thing as a formal report 
from the minority, and if any member desires such, 
he must act as an individual. It is sometimes, how- 
ever, permitted, more as an act of courtesy than 
anything else, that the minority report may ac- 
company the proper one as the opinions of the minor- 
ity. In order to be adopted, it must be moved as an 
amendment to the report, when that is up for a hear- 
ing. 

11. When No Report Can be Made.—lIf, for 
any cause, a committee finds it impracticable to ren- 
der a report, the chairman, or some other member 
of that committee, should rise, and after making a 
statement of the case, move that the committee be dis- 
charged from further consideration of the subject. 


12. Document of Several Propositions.—In con- 
sidering a paper consisting of several distinct prop- 
ositions, or of a series of resolutions, the entire 
paper should first be tread by the secretary. It 
is best to begin at the beginning, and go regularly 
through by paragraphs or resolutions. The paper is 
then submitted, amended or unamended, to a vote of 
the assembly on its final adoption. 


42 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


13. Preamble Last.—The preamble should be 
reserved till the resolutions have been disposed of 
because in the event of their being amended, it might 
require alteration to render it appropriate, or should the 
resolutions not be adopted, it would fall to the ground 
altogether. 


14. Only One Main Subject at a Time.—But 
there may be pending at the same time a number of 
incidental, or subsidiary questions. 


15. Outline Review.—The following outline ex- 
hibits an order of business suited to an ordinary de- 


bating society : 


. The call to order. 
2. Calling the roll of members. 


Read. 
3. Minutes of previous nen} Correct. 
Adopt. 
4. Miscellaneous business. 
5. Unfinished business. 
6. Report of committees. 
7. Communications. 
Debate. 
8. Orders of the day. Declamations. 
Essays, etc. 
g. Critic’s report. 
to. General and mutual criticisms. 
11. Election of officers. 
12. Arranging of program for next meeting. 
13. Adjournment. 


ORDER OF EXERCISES. 


CHAPTER VII. 
ORDER OF DEBATE. 


1. When in Order to Rise and Speak.—It is 
never in order to rise and speak on a motion or prop- 
osition, until it has been moved, seconded, and stated 
from the chair. 


2. When the President May Debate.—The pre- 
siding officer is not allowed to take part in the debates, 
except in cases growing out of his official position. 

He may explain points of order; he may give in- 
formation of facts bearing upon the business under 
deliberation; and, in the event of an appeal from his 
decision on questions of order, be free to engage in any 
debate thereupon; and he is entitled to be heard even 
before a member who may be already on the floor. 


3. Rights of the Floor—A member, who once 
fairly gets the floor, is entitled to be heard, and can 
not be interrupted by a call for adjournment, or for the 
orders of the day, or for the question. 

In case of dispute, or of conflicting claims to the 
floor, the presiding officer is to grant the precedence to 
him whose voice is first heard. It is competent, how- 
ever, for any member to question this decision, and to 
ask for a vote thereupon. 

43 


44 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


4. Interrupting a Speaker.—lIt is allowable for a 
member to interrupt a speaker in order to make an ex- 
planation. 

Sometimes, in order to hasten the decision of a ques- 
tion, some member will call out question! question! 
even while a speaker is on the floor. This is regarded 
as extremely rude, though often resorted to in order 
to get rid of a tiresome speaker. A tedious or offen- 
sive speaker, though his right to proceed is not ques- 
tioned, is generally made, by certain indications of im- 
patience in the audience, to see the propriety of closing 
his speech. 

A speaker who temporarily yields the floor in favor 
of another, is generally permitted, immediately after 
the interruption, to resume his remarks. 


5. Whom to Address.—A person purposing to 
speak is expected to rise in his place, with head un- 
covered, and address himself, in form, directly to the 
presiding officer, saying: “Mr. President,’ or “Mr. 
Chairman,” as the case may be. The presiding officer, 
by addressing the speaker by name, thus introduces 
him, and gives him the floor. 


6. How to Designate Other Members.—lIt is not 
in order, nor in good taste, for a speaker to designate 
other members by their names. The proper expres- 
sions are something like the following: “The speaker 
who has just taken his seat,’ or “The member on the 
other side of the house,” or “The last speaker but one.” 


Order of Debate 45 


7, Restrictions of a Speaker.—He is not to use 
harsh or discourteous words of any kind in relation 
to others engaged in the debate; the proper subject 
of criticism concerns principles and measures, not the 
characters and motives of those who advocate them. 

He may offer and support a motion to rescind any 
act or resolution, and in so doing he may use any proper 
language so long as he does not violate the rules of 
debate. 

When a speaker uses language abusive or insulting, 
he is usually interrupted by members calling him to 
order. The aggrieved party may either repeat or re- 
duce to writing the exact words complained of, so that 
they may be recorded by the secretary, if so demanded. 
If the speaker denies that he used the objectionable 
words, the judgment of the assembly is taken by a vote. 
Before taking the question, however, the assembly can 
so amend or alter the words taken down, as to bring 
them more nearly to what the offending member 
actually did say. 

If the speaker makes a satisfactory explanation, or 
an apology that is acceptable, he is permitted to go on 
with his speech. 

The complaint against a member for using disorderly 
or offensive words must be entered, if at all, at the time 
the offense is given. 


8. Opening and Closing the Debate.—The mover 
of the proposition, on the affirmative side of the ques- 


46 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


tion, is to open the debate. The speakers generally 
follow in turn, according to a prearranged program 
one upon the affirmative, then one upon the negative, 
and so on. 

A. Privilege granted the speaker opening. The 
speaker opening the discussion has the privilege of 
closing it. This is upon the ground that, since the 
opening speech is at the disadvantage of beginning the 
argument, and others who follow have the opportunity 
to offer objections and criticisms, it is but just that the 
first speaker should be granted a chance to reply. His 
time for this second speech, however, is usually shorter 
than others. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


\ 


DISCUSSION OF A QUESTION. 


1. Discussion Defined.—The process which the 
word discussion indicates is a sifting of a subject so 
as best to disclose its real character and relations. 
It is most important that the question be correctly 
worded so that there may be no vagueness in regard to 
the subject to be debated. 


2. Methodical Statement.—The man of educa- 
tion and of superior mind is distinguished not so 
much for the weight or novelty of his remarks, or 
any unusual interest of facts communicated by him, 
as for habitual arrangement of his words. Have a 
definite purpose as well as a definite plan. The 
audience may be ignorant of the matter in dispute, and 
so need to be instructed; or they may be sufficiently 
enlightened, but may entertain just the opposite opinion. 
In all cases, there is obvious need of proper exposition. 
This should be clear, concise, cand.d, and methodical. 


3. Burden of Proof.—He that would change some- 
thing which already exists under the sanction of cus- 
tom or opinion, must make good his charge by appeal 


to argument. The burden of proof, therefore, lies 
47 


48 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


on the side of him who would dispute it. Young 
debaters often miss very important advantages by not 
attending to this. To undertake to establish by proof 
what no one has undertaken to overthrow, admits dis- 
trust and invites suspicion. 


4. Arranging Arguments.—Upon this hangs vic- 
tory or defeat. It must be determined by a regard 
to circumstances. The best policy is to begin and 
end with a strong impression,—to place some of 
the best arguments first and last, and the rest in the 
middle. Another method is to begin with the weakest, 
then take the next in the order of force, and close 
with the strongest. This arrangement is thought to 
be best adapted to an audience disposed to accept your 
conclusions, but lacking the requisite measure of con- 
firmatory evidence. Another direction is to set out 
with an exhibition of your best proofs, and bring in 
what others you have, in the order of their relative 
force. The effort is to command assent at the outset, 
and to meet opposition. 


5. Refutation.—The whole force of an objection 
lies sometimes in some misconception or misstate- 
ment of facts. It is a great advantage in addressing 
a popular assembly, to weaken confidence in an op- 
ponent and to make null his objections. In order 
to conceal underlying principles it is often the purpose 
of the disputant to prolong the discussion by introduc- 
ing irrelevant matter. Unless the strong objections 


Discussion of a Question 49 


which have been urged by an adversary and which are 
found to have weight with the audience, be answered, 
your own arguments will likely be heard with prejudice, 
and, perhaps, with the impression that you purposely 
overlooked them, because they were too much for your 
strength. Passing over an objection, with the promise 
to refute it, at some later point in the course of the dis- 
cussion, is sometimes most unworthily resorted to, as 
an expedient to delay, and finally, to avoid altogether, 
the answer to a well-founded objection. The debater 
who is an honest disputant, will not fail, either to fulfill 
his promise or confess his inability. 


6. Begging the Question.—This is quietly assum- 
img the very proposition to be proved, as a premise 
in the argument which is offered to prove it. For 
illustration, to say that man is mortal, because he is 
subject to death, is only to say that man is mortal be- 
cause he is mortal. So, if a person who may be asked 
why opium induces sleep, should answer, because it is 
soporific, he begs the question, for since soporific means 
sleep-producing, his answer, in substance, would be: 
Opium is sleep-producing because it 7s sleep-producing. 


7. Arguing in a Circle-—This is a method of 
reasoning to make two propositions prove each other. 
There is no little difficulty in detecting and expos- 
ing the fallacy when many propositions or state- 
ments intervene between the two things thus proved. 
Thus, one proceeds to prove A by B, and then B by C, 


50 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


and C by D, and closes, perhaps, by proving D by A. 
A common fallacy is that which grows out of a mis- 
apprehension of the question in dispute, or a purposed 
departure from it. 


8. The Exordium and the Peroration.—Cir- 
cumstances alone can determine, in any given case, 
what would be appropriate, either for an introduction 
or a close. In this respect the speaker is best left 
to his own judgment, taste, and tact. The opening 
should aim to make clear the path of discussion, 
by removing obstacles, in the shape of ignorance, 
prejudice, or indifference. The closing should em- 
brace a brief review recapitulation,—a revival of the 
trains of reasoning chiefly relied upon for a decision, 
with an occasional resort to pathos. 


oe i NG 
PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS. 


1. A Privileged Question Defined.—Privileged 
questions are main questions which, on account 
of their immediate importance, are entitled to in- 
terrupt the proceedings, and receive attention first, 
after which the business suspended is resumed at the 
point of interruption. 


2. Necessity of Privileged Questions.—The cir- 
cumstances requiring the use of privileged questions 
are various: 

The assembly may desire to adjourn; hence the 
motion to adjourn is a privileged one. 

The members may be willing to entertain a propo- 
sition, but not at the present time; hence the neces- 
sity of a motion to lay on the table. 

They may prefer to suppress further debate on a 
subject; thus recourse is had to the previous question. 

More time for reflection or for further information 
may be wanted; which creates the occasion for a mo- 
tion to postpone to a certain day. 

Members may wish to have the proposition modified 


or altered, or the subject investigated; hence the need 
51 


52 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


of a motion to commit, that is, to refer the matter to 
a committee. 

They may be favorable to a proposition in the main, 
but dissatisfied with certain particulars, capable of 
easy alteration in the assembly; thus rises a motion to 
amend. 

They may be anxious to get rid of a proposition 
altogether, and yet not to do so in a rude or indelicate 
manner; this is accomplished by the use of a motion 
to postpone indefinitely. 

A matter may already have been decided, and yet 
the assembly will sometimes desire to retrace its steps, 
and bring the subject before the house a second time; 
in which event there is need of a motion to reconsider. 

There are also incidental questions, or such as arise 
incidentally, which are allowed, for the time being, to 
supersede the proposition under consideration, whether 
it be a privileged one or not. 


3. List of Privileged Questions.—The questions 
mentioned in the preceding topic may be stated as fol- 
lows: 


. Motions to adjourn. 

. Motions to lay on the table. 

. Motions for the previous question. 

. Motions to postpone to a day certain. 
. Motions to commit. 

. Motions to amend. 

. Motions to postpone indefinitely. 

. Motions for the orders of the day. 


COsI AM RW Db A 


Privileged Questions 53 


9. Motions concerning questions of privilege. 
10. Motions concerning questions of order. 
11. Motions for the reading of papers. 

12. Motions for the withdrawal of motions. 
13. Motions for the suspension of rules. 
14. Motions to reconsider. 


Another classification and arrangement of the pre- 
ceding is thus given by Cushing: 


PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS :—Adjournment, Questions of Priv- 
tlege, and Orders of the Day. 

INCIDENTAL QUESTIONS:—Questions of Order, Reading of 
Papers, Withdrawal of a Motion, Suspension of a Rule, and 
Amendment of Amendments. 

SUBSIDIARY QUESTIONS:—Lay on the Table. 

Previous QUESTION :—Postponement, Commitment, and 
Amendment. 


4. Order of Precedence.—These privileged ques- 
tions have also a certain order of precedence among 
themselves, settled often by a former rule. The 
order prescribed in the 46th rule of the House of 
Representatives is that which prevails to the greatest 
extent in this country, and is, therefore, most entitled 
to precedence. It is as follows: 


“When a motion is under debate, no motion shall be 
received, but to adjourn, to lay on the table, for the previous 
question, to postpone to a day certain, to commit or amend, 
to postpone indefinitely; which several motions shall have 
precedence in the order in which they are arranged; and no 
motion to postpone indefinitely, being decided, shall be again 
allowed on the same day, and at the same stage of the bill or 


54 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


proposition. A motion to strike out the enacting words of a 
bill shall have precedence of a motion to amend, and, if car- 
ried, shall be considered equivalent to its rejection.” 


5. The Motion to Adjourn.—This motion, 
when simply to adjourn, or “that the assembly 
do now adjourn,” supersedes all other questions, except 
fixing the time for next sitting. Though a motion to 
adjourn may be said to be always in order, yet this 
must be taken with some limitations: 

It can not be received while a member is speaking, 
unless he consents to give way for that purpose. 

It can not be entertained while a vote, or the proc- 
ess of calling the yeas and nays is in progress. 

It can not, after being once negatived, be renewed 
previous to the intervention of some other business. 

Lastly, it must be a motion to adjourn simply, with- 
out specifications of any kind—merely that the assem- 
bly “do now adjourn.” 

A motion to adjourn thus prevails over all others, 
because otherwise, the assembly might be kept in ses- 
sion against its own will, and that for an indefinite 
time. 

A. A motion simply to adjourn is not debatable. 

B. A motion to adjourn is not amendable. As be- 
ing entitled to supersede any pending question it can 
not be amended. The form must be, “that the as- 
sembly do now adjourn.’ If put so as to fix a par- 
ticular time or place, it then has no privilege over a 
pending question; for it introduces new business, and 


Privileged Questions 55 


seeks some object other than mere adjournment. 
When there is no other question before the assembly, 
the motion to adjourn can be amended like any other 
motion. 

C. Motion to adjourn without specification of time. 
When a motion simply to adjourn is decided in the 
affirmative, the body is thereby adjourned to the next 
regular time of sitting; or to such time if any, as has 
been appointed by previous resolution. When an as- 
sembly adjourns without the time or place of the next 
meeting stated, it is always understood that it will con- 
vene again at its usual place, hour and day of meet- 
ing, whether it has been assembling weekly, monthly, 
or semi-annually, unless previous arrangements have 
been made. In temporary and all other organizations, 
when no regular times of meeting have been adopted, 
a motion to adjourn without any time of meeting is 
equivalent to a motion for dissolution. 

D. Adjournment sine die. A motion simply to 
adjourn and a motion to adjourn sine die are really 
identical. Sine die means without day; that is with- 
out a day appointed for another meeting. The form 
to adjourn sine die, however, is mainly employed in 
relation to bodies whereof no reassembling is con- 
templated. 

E. Formality to adjourn. ‘To give efficacy to a 
motion to adjourn a formality on the part of the pre- 
siding officer is necessary. Though a resolution to 
adjourn has been duly passed, yet there is properly no 


56 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


adjournment until the presiding officer has officially 
announced the same from the chair. 

F. Proposition under debate interrupted by a vote 
to adjourn. When a proposition has been interrupted 
in its course by a motion to adjourn, it is thereby re- 
moved from the body, and, if again brought up, must 
be introduced in the usual way. In most organiza- 
tions, special provisions are made for its appearance 
under the head of unfinished business; others provide 
that all business intercepted by a motion to adjourn, 
shall have the precedence at the next meeting. 


6. The Motion to Lay on the Table.—While a 
matter is under consideration it is sometimes deemed 
expedient, for the time being, to discontinue the discus- 
sion, with a view to take up the subject at a more con- 
venient season. In such case a motion is made to lay 
the matter on the table. 

A. Its rank among privileged questions. In Con- 
gress the motion to lay on the table supersedes all mo- 
tions, except a motion to adjourn. In most other de- 
liberative assemblies it follows next to the motion to 
adjourn, a question of privilege, and a motion for the 
orders of the day. 

B. The motion to lay on the table not debatable. 
The motion to lay on the table, decided affirmatively, 
removes the main question, with all other secondary or 
incidental questions relating thereto, until, by motion 


Privileged Questions 57 


duly made and passed, it be the pleasure of the body 
to resume the consideration thereof. A motion to lay 
on the table, when decided negatively, leaves the pend- 
ing question wholly untouched, and its discussion is, 
therefore, immediately resumed and continued just as 
though no interruption had taken place. 

The motion to lay on the table can neither be de- 
bated nor amended. It is, therefore, often employed 
to get rid of a question altogether. 


7. The Previous Question.—This motion, or ques- 
tion, is designed to arrest discussion and test immedi- 
ately the sense of the assembly in respect to a subject 
under debate.? 

A. Its form and effect. The object of the previous 
question being entirely changed since its name orig- 
inated, it is better that the form as well as the name 
be changed. The old form, still used by many, “Shall 
the main question be now put?” often leads to con- 
fusion. The modern form, hardly to be misunder- 
stood, is, “Shall the debate now close on the whole 
subject?” or, “on the question of order,’ “appeal,” 
“postponement,” “commitment,” or “amendment’’? as 
the case may be. A motion to close debate at a stated 
time is an incidental question and applies only to a 


1 This motion originated in the British House of Commons, and 
was designed to suppress motions which, if publicly discussed, 
might bring censure upon the government or upon individuals 
occupying high official station, 


58 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


question of order or appeal when either is pending, as 
when applied to a question of lower grade it can not 
supersede the question of order or appeal. 

An affirmative decision of the previous question has 
the effect to bring the main question without further 
delay or debate directly to a vote. A negative decision 
of it, however, operates differently; for that assumes 
that, if the main question is not now to be put (which is 
what a negative decision declares,) then that question 
is still subject to debate, just as it would have been 
had the previous question never been demanded or 
applied. 

In all deliberative assemblies in this country, it is 
usually taken for granted—unless otherwise ordered by 
a special rule—that a negative decision of the previous 
question leaves the main question and all amendments 
thereto, under deliberation just as it found them. 

B. The “gag-law.”’ Because it often stopped the 
most necessary discussions, and thus compelled mem- 
bers to be silent, the previous question has often been 
called the “gag-law.”’ The effect of an affirmative de- 
cision is to prevent all further debate and bring the 
main question directly to a vote. In this country it is 
employed almost exclusively for the purpose of stop- 
ping unprofitable discussion and so hastening a decision. 

C. Admission of the previous question. It is ob- 
vious that the use of the previous question ought to be 
under some limitations greater than that which is cus- 
tomary in case of other motions. As the custom is 


Privileged Questions 59 


now, the previous question can be admitted only when 
demanded by a majority of the members present. In 
all deliberative bodies, therefore, the number at whose 
call it may be admitted, ought to be fixed by a special 
rule.? 

D. Rank of the previous question. It has the 
same rank as the motion to postpone, the motion 
to commit, and the motion to amend. It can not, 
therefore, if first put, be superseded by any one of 
these. 

It yields the precedence, however, to a motion to 
adjourn, to lay on the table, to a motion respecting the 
rights and privileges of the members or of the assem- 
bly at large, or to a motion for the orders of the day. 

EK. Motion for previous question not debatable. 
Neither debate nor amendment is allowable on a motion 
for the previous question. All questions of order, also, 
arising incidentally thereon, must be decided without 
discussion, whether appeal be had from the chair or 
not. 


8. The Motion to Postpone.—The object of 
this motion is: Either to defer the considera- 
tion of a pending proposition till a more convenient 


1 When first recognized by the House of Representatives (April 
7th, 1789), it could be introduced by a call from five members. 
It was afterwards (December 23d, 1811), resolved, as in the case 
of a call for the yeas and nays, that one-fifth of the members 
present should be necessary to a call for the previous question. 
This continued to be the rule till February, 1840, At that time 
was made the change as now prevails. 


60 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


time; or, to get rid of it altogether without coming 
directly to a vote upon it. It is either for a specified 
time, or for a period indefinite. 

A. Its rank among privileged questions, It holds 
the same rank with the previous question, the motion 
to commit, and the motion to amend, and cannot be 
superseded by any of these unless it be lost; in which 
case the pending proposition is subject to the applica- 
tion of these other motions. 

B. Interrupted proposition. A proposition which 
has been interrupted by the passage of a motion to 
postpone is removed, with all matters pertaining to it, 
from before the assembly. 

C. Motion to postpone may be amended. lf a 
motion is offered to postpone to a specified time, it may 
be amended by substituting a different time. 

D. Aim of motion for indefinite postponement. 
Its object is to get rid of a proposition altogether with- 
out coming directly to a vote upon it; for, when de- 
cided affirmatively, the effect is to eliminate the propo- 
sition entirely. It is generally held to be incapable of 
debate or of amendment. 

If a motion to postpone is decided in the negative, 
the result has no effect upon the pending proposition ; 
which is then to be treated in all respects as if no such 
motion had been made. 


9. The Motion to Commit.—If the matter 
of a proposition meets the approval of the assembly 


Privileged Questions 61 


and its form is objectionable, it is usual to refer the 
subject to a committee. The matter goes properly to 
a standing committee ; if there be none, a select commit- 
tee is raised for that purpose. 

A. How submitted. The assembly may appoint 
a select committee for any given subject, though there 
already be a standing committee. If there be any 
doubt or hesitancy in the matter, then the motion to 
refer to the standing committee should be first sub- 
mitted to a vote of the assembly. 

B. Motion to commit subject to amendment. It 
may be amended by substituting one committee for 
another; by increasing or lessening the number of 
members proposed; or by adding instructions regard- 
ing the subject committed. 

C. The motion to commit is debatable. 

D. Rank of motion to commit. It has the same 
rank as the previous question and the motion to post- 
pone, and cannot, therefore, be superseded by either 
of them. It has the precedence, however, over a mo- 
tion to amend. 

E. Effect of an affirmative decision of a motion 
to commit. The motion to commit, with an affirma- 
tive decision, removes the subject under consideration 
from before the meeting. If decided negatively, how- 
ever, the subject remains before the assembly, and 
may then, if desirable, be subjected to the operation 
of the previous question, the motion to postpone, or 
to amend. 


62 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


10. Motions to Amend.—These are the most 
complicated of all the privileged questions. The 
principal object of the motion to amend is to change 
the question before the meeting so that it will be in the 
best possible shape before it comes to vote, and hence 
may meet the wishes of the members. 

A. Primary and legitimate use of motion to amend, 
As the term implies, it is so to correct or improve 
the form, or statement of a proposition as to aid 
it in reaching the object which it aims to accomplish. 
A motion to amend, therefore, is properly an act 
friendly to the proposition to be amended. <A proposi- 
tion once moved, seconded, and stated from the chair, 
is the property of the assembly, and can be so amended 
as to make it more truly answerable to its object, 
or altogether turned away from its original purpose 
and rendered subservient to objects entirely different. 
A proposition is thus so frequently altered by “mo- 
tions to amend” that its original friends are compelled 
finally to vote against it in its amended shape. 
Motions to amend are, therefore, often made to work 
the defeat of a proposition. Often, where no special 
rule exists to the contrary, matters opposed to the 
proposition under consideration are introduced, and, in 
some cases, everything of the original motion after 
the words, “Resolved that,’ is struck out, and a propo- 
sition entirely different added. 

B. Limit to amendments. To prevent improper 
use of motions to amend, some deliberative bodies have 


Privileged Questions 63 


established rules on the subject which are absolutely 
necessary. In the United States House of Repre- 
sentatives the rule is, that “no motion or proposition 
on a subject different from that under consideration 
shall be admitted under color of an amendment. No 
bill or resolution shall at any time be amended by an- 
nexing thereto, or incorporating therewith, any other 
bill or resolution pending before the House.” 

C. The three ways m which amendments are 
made. 

First—By the insertion or addition of words or sen- 
tences. 

Second—By the removal or striking out of words or 
sentences. 

Third—By the striking out of some words or sen- 
tences and the insertion of others in their place. 

When a proposition consists of several parts, para- 
graphs, or sections, or is expressed in a series of reso- 
lutions, the proper order of proceeding is to begin with 
the first, and amend, if necessary, each of the parts, 
paragraphs, sections, or resolutions in order. 

D. Amendment to amendment. The amendment 
which is offered to the amendment should be put in the 
best possible shape before it is proposed, so that an 
amendment on it may not be necessary. If one or 
more members desire it to be changed in some way, 
they should, before the vote is taken, state their inten- 
tions of modifying the amendment, and how it shall be 
amended, provided it is rejected in its present form. 


64 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


They should then do all in their power to defeat the 
proposed amendment, and, if successful, they then 
make the desired alterations, and move it again as a 
new motion. 

E, Limit to amendment of amendment. It is 
quite in order to amend an amendment to an amend- 
ment; but here the process must terminate, an amend- 
ment of an amendment to an amendment being wholly 
inadmissible. Amendments heaped upon amendments 
do not facilitate the business of the assembly; on the 
contrary, they would result in very serious embarrass- 
ment. Well established usage, therefore, forbids the 
process of amending beyond an amendment to an 
amendment. 

However, whenever an amendment to an amendment 
seems itself to require amendment, the object desired 
can, nevertheless, be easily obtained by first rejecting 
the amendment to the amendment, and then, after 
amending it in the manner required, offering it again 
in its altered form as an amendment to the first 
amendment. 

F. A received amendment not subject to altera- 
tion. If it has been voted to receive as an amendment 
a given clause or paragraph, it is not in order there- 
after to amend this amendment. If it has been agreed 
in like manner, not to strike out certain words, those 
words can not afterwards be amended: the vote not to 
strike out being in effect a vote to retain them as they 


Privileged Questions 65 


stand. Also, that which has once been disapproved by 
a vote of the body cannot be again moved in that form 
as an amendment. 

G. Amending motion by striking out certain of its 
parts. Anything stricken from a question cannot be 
moved to be put back, nor can any part of it, unless 
it be in connection with other matter and made a new 
proposition. A motion to strike out anything, decided 
in the negative, is equivalent to a motion adopting the 
same thing; hence, the matter, if amended, must be 
done so before the vote. A motion to strike out may 
be amended by a motion to strike out something from 
it, which is equivalent to leaving the last named mat- 
ter in the original motion. 

H. Amending by striking out and inserting. ‘This 
consists in moving that certain parts of the propo- 
sition be stricken out, and certain other words in- 
serted. When any member requests, or the body 
expresses through a vote its desire that the motion be 
divided when put to vote, the president acts according 
to the request, and puts first the question of striking 
out; if decided in the affirmative, he then puts the 
question of inserting. 

I. Amendments in conflict. It is not in order to 
propose an amendment which is inconsistent with one 
already adopted. It is not, however, within the power 
of the presiding officer to suppress it as being contrary 
to order. Were he allowed to bring questions like 


66 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


this within the rules of order, he might often prevent 
important modifications and defeat instead of conform 
to the will of the assembly. 

J. Mode of stating a motion to amend. First, 
read the whole passage to be amended; second, the 
words proposed to be struck out, or those proposed to 
be inserted, or the words proposed to be struck out 
and those offered as a substitute, as the case may be; 
third, the whole passage as it will stand when amended. 

K. Order of putting amendments to vote. An 
amendment before the main question, and in like man- 
ner, an amendment to an amendment must take the 
precedence. In the event of there being several pro- 
posed amendments to an amendment, they should be 
put to the vote in the order in which they are moved. 

L. Form of the question on a motion to strike out. 
In this country the form of the question always is, 
“Shall the words be stricken out?” 

M. Rank of motion to amend. A motion to 
amend holds the same rank with the previous question 
and indefinite postponement; consequently, that which 
is first moved must be first put. 

N. By what liable to be superseded. The motion 
to amend is liable to be superseded by a motion to sus- 
pend to a day certain; so that amendment and post- 
ponement being in competition, the motion to postpone 
takes precedence. A motion to amend may also be 
superseded by a motion to commit; so that the latter 


Privileged Questions 67 


motion being offered while an amendment is under dis- 
cussion, it must be put to the vote first. 

11. Division of a Question——There are sev- 
eral changes in the nature of amendments that can be 
made by motion upon propositions : 

A. Dividing a question. When a motion embraces 
several parts, each of which forms substantially a 
separate proposition, the resolution of it into distinct 
motions or questions is called dividing the question. 

B. Advantage of such division. It affords the 
assembly an opportunity to receive or to reject what 
part it thinks proper, and to do so without embarrass- 
ment. 

C. How effected. The division of a question is 
effected by an order of the assembly, obtained upon 
motion introduced in the usual way; and when divided, 
the several divisions or propositions into which it has 
been resolved, must be voted upon and decided in the 
order in which they stand. 

D. Character of motion to divide. It should state 
particularly the manner in which it proposes to make 
the division. It is subject to the same rules of amend- 
ment as any other motion. 

E. Addition or union of the parts of a question. 
A motion that embraces in form two propositions, 
while in substance there is really but one, is sometimes 
arranged so as to present the whole matter to the as- 
sembly as a single question. 


68 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


F. Mode and process of effecting such union. 
This union may be effected either by voting down one 
of the propositions, and then incorporating its sub- 
stance with the other, or by referring the whole mat- 
ter to a committee, with instructions to put the two 
propositions in the form of a single question or motion. 

Whenever a clause, paragraph, or section is trans- 
posed, there should be one motion to remove it from 
the place where it is, and another to insert it in the place 
preferred. 


12. The Filling of Blanks.—There are special reg- 
ulations for this in almost every organization and no 
uniformity has been practiced. Motions may be made 
to fill a blank with a time or a number, and each mo- 
tion put to vote before another is made; or several may 
be made, and all be pending before any come to the vote. 
In filling up blanks, the largest sums and longest time 
shall be put first. 


13. Orders of the Day.—When the considera- 
tion of a subject or subjects has been assigned for 
some particular day, the matter so arranged is called 
the order or the orders of the day, and is a putting 
aside of the general rule as to business. 

A. As to the particular hour specified. Should 
the subject be assigned some particular hour for its 
hearing, then a motion for the order of the day is no 
privileged question until that hour arrives. When no 


Privileged Questions 69 


particular hour is mentioned the entire day is under- 
stood. 

B. Rank. It commonly takes precedence of all 
other business, except a motion to adjourn, or a ques- 
tion of privilege. 

C. Not proper to call up one particular order to 
exclusion of the rest. When several orders or subjects 
have been assigned for the same day, the motion for 
the orders of the day can not be used to call up one of 
them in particular to the exclusion of the others. The 
motions must be for the orders of the day collectively. 

If, among several orders of the day, one is named 
for a particular hour, the rest may be acted upon in 
succession, as they stand upon the record, till that 
hour arrives; then the subject appropriate to it must 
come up next in order. The order for that particular 
hour is first considered, and the rest follow as they 
stand on the record. 

D. When decided in the negative. The pending 
question is thereby entitled to be first considered, and 
decided upon. 

E. No motion while member is speaking. A mo- 
tion for the orders of the day can not be made then, 
because it is a breach of order to interrupt him, unless 
by a call to order. 

IF. Question superseded by a motion for the orders 
of the day. In this case, the question is removed en- 
tirely from before the assembly, and, if renewed, must 
be brought up anew in the ordinary way. 


70 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


G. If not acted upon on day appointed. In that 
event, orders of the day are made of no effect. 

In case of a special rule, orders for a given day, when 
not disposed of on the day appointed, may have pre- 
cedence on every day thereafter, till finally decided 
upon. 

H. Orders of the day may be discharged at any 
time, and a new order made for a different day. 


14. Questions of Privilege.—These involve the 
rights and privileges of individual members, or of the 
whole body taken collectively : as where a dispute arises 
respecting the presence of persons not belonging to the 
. body, or where a quarrel takes place between members 
themselves. 

A. Rank of questions of privilege. They prevail 
for the time over all other propositions, except a mo- 
tion to adjourn. 

B. A proposition superseded by a question of privi- 
lege. In this event, the proposition is regarded as still 
pending, and must be taken up again just where it was 
left off. 


15. Questions of Order.—In any case of a 
breach of the rules a member has the right to rise 
to the point of order, and insist upon its being duly 
enforced. <A difference of opinion, however, may exist 
as to whether a rule has been violated or not; the ques- 
tion, which is thence called a question of order, must 


Privileged Questions yas 


be determined before the application of the rule can be 
insisted upon. 

A. Appeal. If the decision of the chair is held to be 
unsatisfactory, any member may appeal from that de- 
cision, and demand a vote of the house on the matter. 

The question is stated usually in this form: “Shall 
the decision of the chair be sustained?” or, “Shall 
the decision of the chair stand as the decision of the 
assembly?” 

B. Motion on an appeal is debatable. It is in all 
respects to be treated like any other question; and, 
what is altogether against order in other cases, the 
presiding officer is permitted to participate in the de- 
bate. 

C. Effect upon a proposition. The decision of a 
question of order sometimes disposes of the question 
out of which it arose; but, with this exception, a pend- 
ing proposition remains wholly unaffected by the intro- 
duction and decision of a question of order. The con- 
sideration of it is to be resumed just at the point where 
it was interrupted. 


16. Motions for the Reading of Papers.—No 
member can be compelled to vote upon a paper 
until it has been once read, and by vote or unani- 
mous consent it may be read as often as _need- 
ful for the information of a member. To refer to 
written notes in addressing an assembly is admissible, 
but the reading of a member’s speech, or of any other 


72 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


paper referring to the subject under consideration, can 
be permitted only by vote or unanimous consent. This 
is manifestly a very proper limitation; for without it 
such delay and embarrassment would often ensue as to 
prevent the transaction of the most important business. 

A. Objections to reading of a paper. If the aim is 
to shed light upon the subject, and so lead to a more 
intelligent disposition of it, the paper is ordinarily read, 
under the direction of the presiding officer, without the 
least objection. But, when the purpose of the pro- 
posed reading is obviously to create delay, or where, 
for any reason, it seems likely to operate as an abuse 
of the time and patience of the assembly, it is generally 
met with a most decided negative. 


17. Motion for the Withdrawal of Motion.— 
A motion which has been officially stated to the 
assembly is in possession of that body, subject to 
whatever action may be taken concerning it. Every 
member then has a full right and interest in it. 
For many reasons, however, a mover sometimes de- 
sires to withdraw his proposition: he may wish either to 
modify it, or not to have it come to vote at all. Be- 
fore the motion is seconded, he can withdraw it, for it 
is his own, and no one else has any right therein. Also, 
after the second, and before the statement by the presid- 
ing officer, he can take it back, for then he and the sec- 
ond alone are interested. The second may object, but 
these two must settle the difficulty between themselves, 


Privileged Questions re 


for the assembly has nothing to do with the matter. 
As soon, however, as it is stated from the chair, he can 
not withdraw it without the consent of the house. If 
the motion for a withdrawal is negatived, the matter 
must be treated just as if no motion to withdraw had 
been proposed. 


18. Motion for the Suspension of Rules.—To 
suspend the rules requires a unanimous vote or con- 
sent. It may be general in its effects, or for a special 
purpose. 

The form is, “To suspend the rules which interfere 
with,” etc., or it is better to designate the rule or rules. 
It can not be amended. 

The action of a constitution or laws can not be sus- 
pended, neither can a parliamentary principle. The 
suspension of a rule brings the parliamentary law into 
action. 

If the rules are suspended for the purpose of allow- 
ing a proposition to be introduced, it can not be mod- 
ified before being submitted. 

If a rule is violated, any member may require its 
enforcement. It is then too late to alter or sus- 
pend it. 

A. How carried. If there be no standing rule or 
by-law to the contrary, a motion to suspend, like any 
other motion, is carried by a vote of the majority. 
But, in most deliberative bodies, there is an established 
rule on the subject, whereby a motion to suspend, in 


74 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


order to be successful, must have a fixed number of 
votes; as two-thirds or three-fourths. 


19. Motion to Reconsider.—By such a motion, a 
decision found to be erroneous may be reviewed and 
revised. 

A. Restrictions to motion to reconsider. A motion 
can not be reconsidered: 

(a) If lost, and subject to renewal. 

(b) If adopted, and subject to repeal. 

(c) If it is a contract entered into. 

(d) If it has been reconsidered under:a vote. 

(e) If a prior motion to reconsider it has been en- 
tertained and not withdrawn. If on reconsideration, a 
motion is materially changed, it becomes practically 
a new question*and may be again reconsidered. 

(f) If the yeas and nays were called, unless moved 
by a person who voted on the prevailing side. 

(g) If it is an incidental or resultant question.* 

B. When decided in the affirmative. Should a 
motion to reconsider prevail, the position of the sub- 
ject, to which it refers, is exactly what it was before 
the decision which made the reconsideration necessary. 
It may, therefore, be resumed at that point, and dis- 
posed of according to the pleasure of the assembly. 

C. Whether or not a privileged motion. Wherever 

1Tncidental questions arise from the condition of other ques- 


tions. Resultant questions arise from amendments between two 
houses. 


Privileged Questions 75 


the time within which a motion to reconsider is fixed 
by special rule, it should have the precedence. But 
where no limitation of time is fixed by rule, that motion 
has no privilege over a pending question, and is liable 
itself to be superseded by a privileged motion. 

D. Motion to reconsider is debatable. It is not al- 
lowable, however, in such debate to go into the merits 
of the main question. The frequent disregard of this 
important distinction has led many to hold that the 
motion to reconsider is itself undebatable. 


20. Outline Review.—Management of a motion. 
The following diagram gives a general outline of the 
management of a motion: 


By addressing the chair. 
By receiving the response. 
Making the motion, verbally or in writing. 


Obtaining the floor. 


Seconding the motion, 

: : é Verbally or 
Stating the motion to assembly by president.+ 5 oe ne 
Remarks and discussion. 

By acclamation, or by ballot, 


or by yeas and nays. 


Steps in a Motion 


Voting on the question. 4 


Announcing result of vote. 


21. Outline Review.—Order of privileged ques- 
tions. The following diagram shows the order in 
which privileged questions have precedence: 


76 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS. 


Privileged 
proper. 


Subsidiary. 


Incidental. 


Motions as to privileges of members. 


| Noten for adjournment. 


Motions for orders of the day. 


Motion to lay on the table. 
a. 


| 


Motion 


Motions for pre- 


vious question. 
to post- 
pone to a day 
certain. 


Motion to com- 


mit. 


Motion to amend. 


Prev. ques. and 
Postpone. 
Commit. 
Amend. 


. Postpone and 


Previous ques. 
Commit. 
Amend. 


. Commit and 


Previous ques. 
Postpone. 
Amend. 


. Amend and 


Previous ques. 
Postpone. 
Commit. 


Motion to postpone indefinitely. 


Motions concerning questions of order. 
Motion for reading of papers. 

Motion for the withdrawal of a motion. 
Motion for suspension of rules. 

Motion to amend an amendment. 


CRADLE ROX. 


WORK OF COMMITTEES. 


1. Committee Defined.—Some matters require 
a more extended examination, or a more free 
discussion, or a more elaborate preparation for action, 
than is possible under the formalities essential to the 
government of large assemblies. These are often en- 
trusted to one or more of the members, who, for this 
purpose, are called a committee. 


2. Kinds of Committees.—Committees are of 
five kinds; such as: Committees of the Whole, Stand- 
ing, Special, Conference, and Joint. The last four 
are often called select committees, to distinguish them 
from the committee of the whole. Boards of man- 
agers, trustees, and directors, usually act in the capac- 
ity of committees. They are often also of the nature 
of representatives. 


3. Standing Committees.—These are appointed 
for a class of subjects, and usually for a stated 
term. They are governed by the same rules as 
special committees, except that they are continued 

77 


78 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


for other purposes, after making their report on mat- 
ters referred to them. They are often vested with 
authority to originate business within their jurisdic- 
tion. , | 


4. Special Committee.—This class comprises 
those appointed on a particular occasion to at- 
tend to some specific matter which is aside from the 
duties of the standing committees; and when the sub- 
ject has been settled, the committee is. discharged. 


5. Conference Committee.—This is a form of 
select committee. It consists of two committees, 
one appointed by each co-ordinate legislative branch, 
each acting separately by a majority vote. It 1s 
their duty to confer together, and agree, if possible, 
on such amendments as will be acceptable to both 
houses. When they can not agree, or when their re- 
port is not acceptable, a new committee is usually ap- 
pointed. : 


6. Joint Committee.—This is constituted by the 
appointment of members from each house. They act 
as one committee, and may be instructed by either 
house. It may be either special or standing. 


7. Committee of the Whole—As a general 
thing committees are made up of a part of the 
assembly; only the number necessary for the transac- 


Work of Committees 79 


tion of the business being assigned to it. But, some- 
times it is thought best for the whole assembly to re- 
solve itself into a committee, and in such a condition, 
to act upon the subject; this is called a committee of 
the whole. : 

A. To resolve an assembly into a committee of th 
whole. The form employed in resolving into a com- 
mittee of the whole, is this: A member rises and 
moves “That the assembly do now resolve itself into 
‘a committee of the whole, to take under consideration 
the: subject” (whatever it is). This being recorded, 
the question is put to a vote by the presiding officer. 
If decided in the affirmative, the president, after an- 
nouncing the result, resigns the chair to the party ap- 
pointed to act as chairman of the committee, and then 
takes part, like other members, in the matter under 
deliberation. 

B. The chairman. ‘The president, by virtue of some 
special rule, or in accordance with established custom, 
designates a member to act as chairman of the commit- 
tee. The appointment may or may not be approved, 
according to the will of the members. If the president, 
in conformity with usage, but without the authority of 
a special rule, assigns to a member the chairmanship 
of the committee, the appointment is valid if no one 
objects; but if objection be made, a chairman must be 
appointed by a regular vote. 

—C. A quorum. In a committee of the whole, a 


80 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


“quorum consists of a majority of the voting members, 
except when the committee is charged with matters of 
a judicial nature, in which case all must be present, 

unless both parties interested consent directly or by 
their representatives to proceed with a majority. 


When no quorum is present, the committee should — 


by motion rise and report to the assembly the eause. 
The presiding officer, whose duty it is to be present in 
the committee, and ready when necessary to resume the 


chair, takes his proper place and the committee of. 


aston 


the whole is accordingly dissolved. If, after reporting, 
it is found that there is a quorum present, and if the 
assembly has not yet adjourned, the committee, without 
a vote, immediately resumes its sitting. iH 

D. Secretary in committee of the whole. The secre- 
tary of the general meeting acts as clerk of the com- 
mittee of the whole. He records in the journal only 
what is reported to the assembly by the committee and 
not any minor points that occurred in the latter body 
while in session. | 

E. Proceedings in committee of the whole. The 
only object of the committee is to secure a release from 
certain embarrassments, necessarily existent in the con- 
duct of the assembly proper; it follows, therefore, that 
some differences must be made in the order of proceed- 
ing. : ae : 

The principal points in which the order of proceed- 
ing in a committee of the whole differs from that pur- 
sued in the assembly itself, are briefly as follows: 


; 


ot 
Work of Committees 8h 


| 
In the assembly, a member can not speak more than, . 
once or twice on the same subject; in committee of the | 
whole, he may speak as often as he pleases. ‘ 
In the assembly, all discussions may be suddenly ar- 
_srested by the use of the previous question; in com- 
Le mittee of the whole, the previous question can never 
™ be introduced. 
In the assembly, the yeas and nays may be called 
Ifo, and an appeal be made from the decisions of the 
‘chair; in committee of the whole, neither a call for 
‘the yeas and nays nor an appeal from the chair is 
“allowable. 
In the assembly, committees of their own number 
may be raised at any time; in committee of the whole, | 
/, a committee of their own number, that is, a sub- 
/~ . committee, is inadmissible. » at 


£ ‘f In the assembly, any breach of order may be pun- 
~~) ~ ished; in committee of the whole, as in other com- 
a4 mittees, the matter must bo referred to the assem- 
a bly. ae 


In the assembly, a motion may be made and carried \ 
to adjourn to another time and place; in committee of 
the whole, if, for any reason, it is thought proper to 
discontinue their deliberations for a time, it is neces- 
oatty for some one to move that the committee rise, ) 
report progress, and-ask leave to sit again. et 


r 


Greater freedom is allowed in committee of the ill 
whole. The proceedings, though leading to results 
however useful, are themselves often tedious and in- 


82 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


formal, and are not required to be placed upon the 
record, as would be the case were they the transactions 
of the assembly as such. | 

8. Report of Committees.—This should always 
be in writing, and should be read by the chairman, or 
some one appointed for that purpose. It should be 
read by the one selected. 

A. Time for report. “In most organizations a 
special time is set apart for the reporting of commit- 
tees. The presiding officer, when the proper time ar- 
rives, announces that such will be in order, and asks 
whether the committee on such (naming the subject) is 
ready to report. Should the report not be called for, 
then the person appointed to give the report may choose 
the most suitable opportunity, and declare that the com- 
mittee is ready to report. Should a committee not 
be ready to report when called upon, it can report the 
progress made, if any, and that more time is neces- 
sary.” 

B. First question on the report. When a commit- 
tee is ready to report, the one appointed to represent 
them announces to the meeting that they are ready 
to submit their work to the consideration of the gen- 
eral assembly. Usually no motion is necessary to re- 
ceive the report out of the hands of the committee, but 
should any objection be made by any one as to the time 
for receiving the report, then a motion should be made 
by some member “that the report be received.” The 


Work of Committees 83 


motion being decided in the affirmative, the committee 
is discharged; but the subject may be recommitted to 
them. 

C. Reading of the report. At the proper time, the 
member rises in his place and informs the chair that 
he is prepared to present the report of his committee, 
naming its title. The question of reception is deter- 
mined as in the last section. If received, the member 
usually reads it and hands it and all papers connected 
therewith to the clerk. If lengthy, however, it is some- 
times received and the reading deferred until the as- 
sembly is ready to act upon it. When action is taken, 
the recommendations or resolutions and argument may 
be amended, but it-is usually quite sufficient to amend 
the former. The report of the chairman of a com- 
mittee of the whole is made as soon as the committee 
rises. If progress is reported and leave granted to 
sit again, the time of sitting will be fixed. If leave 
is not granted, the subject comes up before the assem- 
bly in its original state. 

D. Minority report. The reception of a report from 
the minority of a committee is conceded rather as a 
favor thanasaright. This is done, though not strictly 
in order, partly out of courtesy, and partly for the 
sake of a fuller development of the matter in dis- 
pute. 

E. Amendments. That which the assembly has 
adopted a committee can not change. Neither can they 


84. How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


change the subject or title of the matter referred to 
them. With these exceptions, the committee has full 
power over the matter, and may report adversely. A 
paper referred must be returned without being altered 
or defaced in any manner. All amendments, even 
those ordered by the assembly, must be added on a 
separate piece of paper, referring to paragraph, line, 
and word in the original, or if many changes are made, 
they may be embodied in a new draft. An auditing 
committee to whom a financial report is referred, may, 
however, indorse a report of approval on the back of 
such financial report. 


g. The Investigation of Charges.—This is gen- 
erally referred to a special or standing commit- 
tee, though sometimes to the committee of the 
whole. At the examination, both parties may be pres- 
ent with counsel, and introduce and cross-examine wit- 
nesses. Evidence in order to sustain the charge need 
not be strong enough to convict in criminal proceed- 
ings. ‘The evidence and proceedings should all be 
written down by the committee. 

A. Written evidence. When this is used the ques- 
tions and cross-examinations are to be agreed or de- 
cided upon before being submitted to the distant 
witness, and the authenticity of the replies must be 
shown by handwriting or otherwise. 

B. Notice to appear. The accused should be served 


Work of Committees 85 


with a copy of the charges, together with a written 
notice signed by one or more members of the com- 
mittee, to appear at a stated meeting of the committee, 
previous to which convening the investigation can not 
begin. Fifteen days’ notice should be served per- 
sonally, if the accused is to be found; otherwise, it 
should be left in some conspicuous place at his usual 
place of abode or business. Notices to attend should 
also be served upon the accuser and witnesses. If 
the assembly is not authorized by law to send for 
persons and papers, a notice to a person not a mem- 
ber should be in the form of a request. When the 
charges are amended by consent of the committee, the 
accused is entitled to an adjournment to prepare his 
defense. 

C. Report of investigation. The report should con- 
tain one or more resolutions as to guilt, and if the ac- 
cused is deemed guilty, also one or more as to penalty, 
and the report should be accompanied with the full 
proceedings of the committee. If the accused or 
accuser (or witness, if a member), fails to appear af- 
ter being duly notified, and does not render a satis- 
factory excuse, he should be reported as guilty of 
contempt. But the investigation may still proceed if 
the means are at hand to carry it forward. 

10. Review Outline-—The following diagram 
shows at a glance all the points relating to the appoint- 
ment and work of committees : 


86 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


COMMITTEES. 


Kinda. 


Appointment. 


Duties .... 


Privileges. 


Of the whole. 
Standing. 

Special. 
Conference. 

Joint. 

By the president. 
By motion. 

By ballot. 

By nomination. 


-To consider the subject assigned, at large, 


or under special directions. 

To obtain information, when directed, upon 
any matter, by inquiry, or otherwise. 

To digest and put into form for the adop- 
tion of the assembly, all orders, motions, 
etc., which may be given them. 

To hold their sessions at the time and place 
appointed by the assembly. 

To transact their business just as a regular 
assembly. 

To change their line of procedure at any 
time, when so ordered by the assembly. 
To report their proceedings in full to the 

assembly. 


To elect their own chairman if desired. 

To select their own time and place of meet- 
ing when not provided. 

To note disorderly words and conduct, but 
not to take any action thereon. 

To adjourn from time to time till their work 
is accomplished. 

To take any desired action upon the as- 
signed work, save changing the subject 
or title. 

To appoint sub-committees. 


COMMITTEES. 


Reports... 


Work of Committees 87 


Manner. 


Matter. 


4 


Should be in writing. 

Should be made by the chairman, 
Or someone appointed for the 
purpose. 

Should be read by the one 
selected. 


‘May be a statement of facts or 


opinions without any specified 
conclusions. 

May be facts or opinions con- 
cluded with a resolution or 
resolutions, 

May be resolutions merely, with- 
out any introduction. 


CHAT DDR cL. 
QUESTIONS FOR DEBATES. 


We give here a few debatable questions, selected 
from among many, whose discussion may be of profit 
not only as a drill in speaking, but also as illustrating 
the principles involved. The wording of a question is 
open to any alteration required or suggested by circum- 
stances. 

Other suitable questions, also, can be derived from 
some of those here presented: 

Resolved.— 

1. That the United States should join the League of 
Nations. 

2. That a judge should be influenced by the former 
character of a criminal. 

3. That the administrations of our country have 
pursued a correct policy in relation to the Indians. 

4. That religious tests ought not to be required of 
civil officers. 

5. That Columbus did greater service to mankind 
than Sir Isaac Newton. 

6. That the introduction of machinery has been, on 


the whole, beneficial to the laboring classes. 
88 


Questions for Debates 89 


7. That the presidential term should be extended to 
Six years. 

8. That the primary is not preferable to the con- 
vention method of nominating candidates for office. 

9g. That coal mines should be under the control of 
the government. 

10. That resistance to the constituted authorities in 
the State is never justifiable. 

11. That theatres should be abolished. 

12. That a union of all churches would promote the 
true interests of Christianity. 

13. That corporal punishment is necessary in the 
schools. 

14. That a boy should be taught those things only 
which he is likely to need in practical life when a 
man. 

15. That it is wise in a parent to labor to amass 
money in order to leave a rich inheritance to his chil- 
dren. 

16. That short terms of political office are desir- 
able. 

17. That capital punishment is justifiable as a means 
of discouraging crime. 

18. That the employment of children in factories 
and ‘similar industries should be forbidden. 

19. That a limited monarchy is a better form of 
government than a republic. 

20. That immigration of foreigners (to this coun- 
try) should not be limited. 


90 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


21. That there should be a law of international copy- 
right. 

22. That public school money should be appropriated 
exclusively to elementary schools. 

23. That the State should provide free schools for 
all children till the end of the High School course. 

24. That the Volstead act is not a violation of per- 
sonal liberty. 

25. That radio broadcasting in the United States 
should be controlled by the government. 

26. That our country is in more danger from ex- 
ternal foes than from internal factions. 

27. That force is more effective in government than 
persuasion. 

28. That an equalization of property would conduce 
to the happiness of society. 

29. That the popularity of a literary production is 
not a sure test of its merit. 

30. That Laws establishing a Minimum Wage should 
be enacted in the United States. 

31. That the literature of a country is affected by its 
form of government. 

32. That the United States should undertake to con- 
trol the political movements of this continent. 

33. That moral courage is preferable to physical. 

34. That debating societies are beneficial. 

35. That the quantity of land held by one person 
ought to be limited. 

36. That the feudal system was beneficial. 


Questions for Debates gI 


37. That the United States government should sub- 
sidize the Aviation Industry in this country. 

38. That the disarmament of all the countries of the 
world is necessary to prevent future wars. 

39. That high license is a better solution of our 
liquor problem than prohibition. 

40. That the peaceable accession of Canada would 
not be beneficial to the United States. 

41. That military glory is a just object of ambition. 

42. That the United States Navy should be enlarged. 

43. That the laws of justice should never be turned 
aside to favor the cause of humanity. 

44. That the naturalization laws of the United 
States should be made more stringent. 

45. That party spirit is beneficial to a country. 

46. That dress is a more effectual external means 
of securing favor than address. 

47. That no process of reasoning can take place 
without the aid of language. 

48. That the labor organizations promote the best 
interests of the working man. 

49. That coeducation is the natural and best kind of 
education. 

50. That the adoption of universal suffrage was wise 
and just. 

51. That use of any form of poison gas in warfare 
should be prohibited. 

52. That the United States should become a mem- 
ber of a World Court. 


92 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


53. That to send American children into foreign 
countries to be educated is unwise. 

54. That we do not grow happier as we grow more 
learned. 

55. That personal merit is more effective in promot- 
ing advancement in life, than influential friends. 

56. That colleges and universities are indispensable 
to the highest forms of educational training. 

57. That great crises produce great men. 

58. That our present policy of excluding the Chinese 
from the United States is unjustifiable. 

59. That steamboats have been more beneficial to 
this country than railroads. 

60. That it would be beneficial to adopt simplified 
rules of spelling. 

61. That the Declaration of Independence was the 
most important event in American history. 

62. That a college education is necessary to a suc- 
cessful business life. 

63. That the love of approbation is a stronger motive 
than the love of wealth. 

64. That in great national struggles, no one has a 
right to be neutral. 

65. That the publication of details of crime tends 
to increase crime. 

66. That the present disposition in this country is 
towards too great leniency in the punishment of crime. 
67. That all labor disputes should be submitted to 
a board having compulsory powers. 


Questions for Debates 93 


68. That the Gothenburg system of eliminating 
private profits offers the best solution of the liquor 
problem. 

69. That motion pictures are detrimental to the 
public. 

70. That the extension of territory is not favorable 
to the strength of a government. 

71. That it is never right to do wrong. 

72. That the most important discoveries have been 
the result of accidental circumstances. 

73. That the world is advancing in morality. 

74. That compulsory education is a natural sequence 
of the adoption of free schools. 

75. That school exhibitions are not beneficial. 

76, That, in a commercial point of view, cotton is 
more valuable than corn. 

77. That truth is stranger than fiction. 

78. That the microscope is more useful to mankind 
than the telescope. 

79. That the moon exerts no other influence on the 
things of earth other than that upon tides. 

80. That it would be preferable to work every day 
for one dollar a day, than every other day for two 
dollars a day. 

81. That schools and colleges should give more at- 
tention to the religious side of education. 

82. That there are too many holidays and vacations 
in our public schools. 

83. That we should admit a larger number of such 


94 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


immigrants as are sound in mind, body, and morals. 

84. That a trial by judges is preferable to trial by 
jury. 

85. That the mails should not be carried on Sunday. 

86. That “lynch-law”’ is never justifiable. 

87. That inventions have a tendency to improve the 
condition of the laboring classes. 

88. That the material prosperity of a nation depends 
upon its intelligence. 

89. That the mental faculties of the sexes are equal. 

go. That the theory of Darwin, as to evolution, can 
neither be proven nor disproven. 

gi. That the jury system should be abolished in the 
United States. 

g2. That the reading of the Bible, as a religious 
exercise, should not be abandoned in our schools. 

93. That America’s literature compares favorably 
with that of other nations. 

94. That the capital of the United States be removed 
to a more central point. 

95. That free trade principles be encouraged. 

96. That our liberties are endangered by “foreign 
influence.” 

g7. That newspapers are a greater force for evil 
than for good in this country. 

98. That severer, swifter and surer punishments are 
essential if we would check crime. 

99. That athletics in our schools should be free from 
commercialization. 


Questions for Debates 95 


100. That the theory of evolution should not be 
taught in public schools. 

101. That the public libraries should be opened on 
the Sabbath. 

102. That the use of oaths for civil purposes is in- 
expedient. 

103. That intemperance is the chief source of crime. 

104. That prohibition is checking the evil of in- 
temperance. 

105. That the cost of living furnishes evidence of 
prosperity. 

106. That a knowledge of parliamentary law is es- 
sential to intelligent citizenship. 

107. That the United States should recognize the 
Soviet Government of Russia. 

108. That raw material should be admitted to the 
United States free of duty. 

109. That admission to colleges and professional 
schools should be by examination. 

110. That the United States should annex Cuba. 

I1I. That the judges of the Superior Court and 
Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction should be appointed 
by the State executive. 

112. That judicial decisions should be subject to re- 
call by the people. 

113. That a single tax on land values should be 
adopted in the United States. 

114. That no real property should be exempt from 
taxation. 


96 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


115. That a vehicle tax should be established for 
the support of public highways. 

116. That all candidates for the state and national 
legislatures and for state, county and city elective offices 
should be nominated by the direct vote of the people. 

117. That the right of suffrage should not be re- 
stricted by a literacy test. 

118. That foreign languages should not be taught 
in high schools. 

119. That large cities should be independent of the 
state government. 

120. That a limitation should be placed upon the 
ownership of land in the United States. 


CHAPTER XII. 


FORM FOR CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS SUIT- 
ABLE FOR A LITERARY, DEBATING, OR 
OTHER SOCIETY. 


In order to provide a system of rules and regula- 
tions, it is customary to appoint a committee to draft 
a suitable constitution and such by-laws as may be 
necessary, 

The following is a copy of the constitution and by- 
laws of a society now in successful operation. The 
form here given may, of course, be altered, modified, 
and adapted to circumstances: 


CONSTITUTION, 
By-Laws AND RULES OF ORDER 
OF THE 
ADDISONIAN SOCIETY, 
OF THE 
City or NEw York. 


PREAMBLE. 


WE, the undersigned, do declare ourselves an associa- 
tion for mutual improvement in elocution, composition, 
97 


98 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


and debate, and for enlarging our fund of general in- 
telligence: in the pursuit of which we desire to exhibit 
a due consideration for the opinions and feelings of 
others, to maintain a perfect command of temper in 
all our intercourse, to seek for truth in all our exercises 
—and have adopted for our government the following 
Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of Order: 


CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE I.—NAME. 


This association shall be known by the name of the 
“ADDISONIAN SOCIETY.” 


ARTICLE IJ.—OFFICERS. 


The officers of the association shall consist of a 
president, a vice-president, recording secretary, cor- 
responding secretary, and treasurer, who shall con- 
stitute a board of directors; also two tellers and an 
editor. 


ARTICLE IIJ.—OFFIcers’ DUTIEs. 


Section 1. It shall be the duty of the president to pre- 
side at all meetings of the society, to enforce a due 
observance of the constitution, by-laws and rules of 
order; to decide all questions of order, offer for con- 
sideration all motions regularly made, apportion duties 
two weeks in advance, call all special meetings, appoint 


Form for Constitution and By-Laws 99 


all committees not otherwise provided for, and perform 
such other duties as his office may require. He shall 
make no motion or amendment, nor vote on any ques- 
‘tion or motion, unless the society be equally divided, 
when he shall give the casting vote. 

Section 2. In the absence of the president, the vice- 
president shall perform the duties of that officer, and 
shall be chairman of the board of directors. 

Section 3. The recording secretary shall keep in a 
book, provided for the purpose, a record of the pro- 
ceedings of the society; also a record of the name and 
residence of each member, showing, when he was ad- 
mitted, and when he died, resigned, or was expelled; 
keep a record of the subjects debated, the disputants 
and decisions of the society in a separate book, and 
shall have charge of all books, documents and papers 
belonging to the society. 

Section 4. The corresponding secretary shall notify 
absent members of their duties for the two succeeding 
meetings, also each person elected a member, of such 
election, and shall write all communications. 

Section 5. The treasurer shall receive all moneys be- 
longing to the society ; keep an account of all dues and 
fines, and of all receipts and expenditures; notify each 
member monthly of his dues and fines, and collect the 
same; and shall call the roll at the opening and close of 
each meeting. He shall report the state of the treasury 
whenever required by a resolution of the society, and 
shall make no payments without a written order from 


100 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


the president, and countersigned by the recording secre- 
tary. 

Section 6. The editor shall copy, in a book provided 
for the purpose, all communications received by him, 
excluding such as may contain personal or improper 
remarks, and shall read the same at every alternate 
meeting of the society. He shall maintain secrecy con- 
cerning the authorship of all communications, and 
insert them without addition or alteration. Such 
periodical shall be called the “Addisonian Review.” 

Section 7. The tellers shall canvass the votes cast at 
all elections; shall immediately make known the result 
of same, and render a true written report at the meet- 
ing following such election. | 

Section 8. The board of directors shall be a stand- 
ing committee to manage the affairs of the society, 
holding meetings at least once a month. They shall 
decide upon all questions of debate offered in the 
society, and shall examine and inquire into the standing 
of all persons proposed for membership, and at the 
next regular meeting report the result to the society, 
who shall determine upon their admission. 

Section 9. The board of directors and treasurer shall 
present to, and read before the society, reports at the 
expiration of their terms of office. 


ARTICLE IV.—ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 


Section 1. All elections for officers shall be held at 


Form for Constitution and By-Laws IOI 


the last regular meetings in July and January. The 
term of each shall commence at the meeting following 
his election. In case of a vacancy occurring in any 
office, the society shall go into an immediate election 
to fill the same, and the officer elect shall take his seat 
immediately after such election. 

Section 2. All elections for officers shall be made by 
ballot, and shall be determined by two-thirds of the 
votes cast. 


ARTICLE V.—MEMBERSHIP. 


Section 1. Any person may propose a person for 
membership at a regular meeting, by giving his name, 
residence, and occupation, and after being reported 
upon by the board of directors, the society shall deter- 
mine his admission by a three-fourths vote of the mem- 
bers present. 

Section 2. Any person may be elected an honorary 
member of the society by a unanimous vote at a regular 
meeting. He shall be entitled to all the privileges of 
a member, except holding office or voting upon any 
question or motion, and shall not be fined for absence, 
nor called upon for the initiation fee or dues. 


ARTICLE VI.—AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION, Etc. 


Every proposed alteration, amendment, or addition 
to this constitution, by-laws and rules of order here- 
__-tnto annexed, must be handed to the president in writ- 
"ing, who shall publish the same to the society, and at 


102 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


the next regular meeting, it may be adopted by a two- 
third vote of the members present. 


ARTICLE VII.—OrbDER OF BUSINESS. 


A motion to change the order of business, or to post- 
pone the performance of the regular duties, shall re- 
quire for its adoption a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present. 


ARTICLE VIII.—SuspENsIon oF By-Laws. 


A by-law, or rule of order, may be suspended in case 
of an emergency, by a two-thirds vote of the members 
present, but only for a single evening. 


BY-LAWS. 


ARTICLE I.—MEETINGS. 


Section 1. This society shall hold its meetings, unless 
otherwise ordered, on Saturday evening of each week; 
the hour of meeting during the months of October, 
November, December, and January, shall be at 7:30 
Pp. M., and at 8 o'clock during the rest of the year; the 
meetings to stand adjourned at 10:30. 

Section 2. Six members shall be necessary to con- 
stitute a quorum. 

Section 3. At the request of six members the presi- 
dent shall call a special meeting of the society. In case 
of absence from any special meeting, a member shall 


Form for Constitution and By-Laws 103 


be fined in accordance with Article V., Section 1 of 
these By-Laws. 


ARTICLE IJ.—INAUGURATION OF OFFICERS. 


At the inauguration of each officer, he shall be re- 
quired to make the following affirmation: 

“I do hereby solemnly promise, that I will faithfully 
discharge the duties of my office to the best of my 
knowledge and ability.” 


ARTICLE JIIJ.—INITIATION OF MEMBERS. 


The following affirmation shall be required of each 
person becoming a member: 

“I do hereby solemnly promise, that I will observe 
and strictly obey all the laws, rules, and regulations set 
down in the Constitution of this society, and do further 
declare, that I entertain no ill-will toward any member.” 


ARTICLE IV.—DEBATES, Essays, RECITATIONS, ETc. 


Section 1. The two orders of business hereunto pre- 
fixed, shall occupy alternate meetings of the society. 
On the debating evening, there shall be a general debate, 
which shall be opened on either side, by a member pre- 
viously appointed. On the miscellaneous evening, half 
of the members shall alternately perform duties either 
in essay or recitation, as the president may have pre- 
viously designated. 

Section 2. The following questions, or such part as 


104 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


time will permit, shall be asked at every miscellaneous 
meeting of the society, commencing where they were 
left off at the previous meeting. 

1. Have you lately met with anything calculated to 
interest or improve the society, either in history, travel, 
sciences, the arts, or other branches of useful knowl- 
edge? 

2. Do you know of any amusing story proper to re- 
late in conversation? 

3. Have you any questions for debate to submit for 
the consideration of this board? 

Section 3. The leaders in debate shall be allowed to 
speak fifteen minutes each time; all others shall be 
limited to ten minutes. 

Section 4. All communications intended for inser- 
tion in the ‘‘Addisonian Review” must be original and 
written by members of the society, and handed to the 
editor at least three days before publication. 


ARTICLE V.—DueEs, FINEs, ETc. 


Section 1. The fines shall be as follows, viz: for late 
attendance, non-performance of duty, disorderly con- 
duct, and for calling to order without substantiating the 
point, each, five cents; for absence, (except of leaders 
on debate, which shall be fifteen cents), ten cents; and 
for leaving the room without permission of the presi- 
dent, twenty-five cents. 

Section 2. Every person on taking his seat, as a 


Form for Constitution and By-Laws 105 


member, shall pay to the treasurer an initiation fee of 
fifty cents. The monthly dues shall be thirty cents, 
payable in advance. 

Section 3. In case any officer neglects a duty, he 
shall, upon motion of a member, and with the consent 
of the society, be fined ten cents; and should he still 
persist in neglecting such duty, he may be removed 
from his office by a two-thirds vote of the members 
present. 

Section 4. If any member calls another to order and 
fails to substantiate his point, he shall be fined in ac- 
cordance with section one of this article. 

Section 5. Any member who shall make use of 
improper language, or refuse to obey when called to 
order, shall be fined in accordance with section one, of 
this article; and, if he repeat the offense, he may be 
expelled from the association by a two-thirds vote of 
the members present. 

Section 6. If any member neglects to pay his fines or 
dues within two weeks after becoming payable, he shall 
be notified thereof by the treasurer, and, if he still 
neglects payment, he shall, at the next regular meeting 
after receiving said notice, be suspended for two weeks; 
and if then in arrears, shall be considered as no longer 
a member. 


ARTICLE VI.—APPEALS, ETc. 


Section 1. An appeal may, in all cases, be made from 
any decision of the president; a two-thirds vote of the 


106 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


members present shall be necessary to sustain the ap- 
peal. 

Section 2. Any member having made an appeal from 
a decision of the president may sustain such appeal, 
and the president may give his reasons for his de- 
cision, before the question is put, which being passed 
upon, the matter shall be considered as settled. 


ARTICLE VII.—CoOMMITTEES. 


All committees shall make their report in writing. 
RULES OF ORDER. 


1. The president, or in his absence, the vice- 
president, shall take the chair at the hour named in 
Article I., Section 1, of the By-Laws. In the absence 
of those officers, a president pro tem. shall be chosen 
by the society. 

2. The president shall be privileged to debate on all 
subjects, on calling the vice-president, or any other 
member, willing, to the chair. 

3. After the meeting has been called to order, each 
member shall take a seat, which he shall be required 
to occupy during the evening, and shall not interrupt 
the proceedings by reading or conversation, without 
permission of the president. 

4. No member shall speak on any motion (except the 
mover thereof) more than twice, nor more than once 
until all wishing to speak have spoken; neither shall 


Form for Constitution and By-Laws 107 


he make or debate an amendment, having spoken twice 
on the original motion, without permission of the 
society. 

5. When two or more members rise at the same time, 
the president shall name the one to speak. 

6. When a member shall be called to order by the 
president or any member, he shall at once take his seat, 
and every question of order shall be decided by the 
president without debate. 

7. No motion shall be debatable until seconded. 

8. Appeals, and motion to reconsider or adjourn, 
are not debatable. 

9g. When a question is under debate, no motion shall 
be received but to lay on the table, to postpone, to com- 
mit, or to amend. 

10. No person shall interrupt another while speak- 
ing, except in accordance with Rule of Order No. 6. 

11, A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, 
except when another motion is before the society. 

12. When a motion or amendment shall be made and 
seconded, the mover thereof may be called upon by the 
president or any member to reduce the same to writ- 
ing, and hand it in at the table, from which it shall be 
read before the society for debate. 

13. The mover of a motion shall be at liberty to ac- 
cept any amendment thereto; but if an amendment be 
offered and not accepted, yet duly seconded, the as- 
sociation shall pass upon it before voting upon the 
original motion. 


108 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


14. Any member may criticise essays or recitations 
delivered before the society, provided he do not occupy 
more than five minutes. 

15. Before taking the vote on any question, the 
president shall ask: “Are you ready for the ques- 
tion?’ Should no one offer to speak, the president 
shall rise to put the question, and after he has risen, 
no member shall speak upon it without permission of 
the society. 

16. When a motion to adjourn is carried, no mem- 
ber shall leave his seat until the president shall have 
left his chair. 

17, When a motion has been made and decided it 
shall be in order for any member (but such as have 
voted in the minority), to move the reconsideration 
thereof, if done within three weeks after being voted 
upon. 

18. Every officer, on leaving his office, shall give to 
his successor all papers, documents, books, and money 
belonging to the society. 

19. No smoking, and no refreshments except water, 
shall be allowed in the society’s rooms. 


CHAPTER XIII. 
FORMS FOR VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS. 


Resolutions of Condolence on the Death of a Member 
of a Fire Company. 


Whereas, It has seemed good to the Almighty Dis- 
penser of Events to remove from our midst our late 
worthy and esteemed fellow-member, James Perry; 
and, 

Whereas, The intimate relations long held by the de- 
ceased with the members of this company render it 
proper that we should place upon record our apprecia- 
tion of his services as a fireman, and his merits as a 
man; therefore, 

Resolved, That we deplore the loss of James Perry, 
with deep feelings of regret, softened only by the con- 
fident hope that his spirit is with those who, having 
fought the good fight here, are enjoying perfect happi- 
ness in a better world. 

Resolved, That we tender to his afflicted relatives our 
sincere condolence, and our earnest sympathy in their 
affliction at the loss of one who was a good citizen, a 
devoted fireman, and an upright man. 

Resolved, That the members of this company will 
attend our deceased member to the grave in a body; 

109 


110 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


that the engine-house be hung with the emblems of 
mourning until after the funeral ceremony shall have 
been performed, and that the hall of meeting be draped 
with black for thirty days. 

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions, 
signed by the president, and certified by the secretary, 
be transmitted to the relatives of the deceased. 


Resolutions Embracing a Remonstrance Against a 
Nuisance in a City. 


Resolved, That the continuance of the bone-boiling 
establishment of Messrs. [insert name here], in the 
midst of a densely populated neighborhood, is an in- 
tolerable nuisance, which is incompatible with the 
health and comfort of those who reside in its vicinity. 

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by 
the chair, whose duty it shall be to apprise the proper 
authorities of the existence and nature of the nuisance; 
and in case such action shall not produce its abatement, 
then to employ counsel, and take such other legal steps 
as the case may require. 


Resolutions of Instruction to Members of the 
Legislature. 


Whereas, From the situation of this county [or 
“town,” or “village’’], the general road-law of the state 
is partly inapplicable to us, and highly inefficient, and 


Forms for Various Resolutions Iti 


the circumstances of the case require a specific law; 
therefore, 

Be it resolved, by the people of [insert name here], 
in town meeting assembled, That the senator and 
representatives of this district in the legislature be, and 
hereby are, instructed to procure the passage of a 
law exempting this county [or “village” or “town,” as 
the case may be] from the action of the general road- 
law, and placing the working and repair of the road 
entirely under the control of the local authorities. 


Resolution of Thanks to the Officers of a Convention. 


Resolved, That the thanks of this convention are 
hereby given to the president for the able, dignified, 
and impartial manner in which he has presided over its 
deliberations, and to the other officers for the satis- 
factory manner in which they have fulfilled the duties 
assigned to them. [On a resolution of this kind, the 
question is always to be put by the member who makes 
the motion, it being personal to the presiding ofticer.] 


FORMS FOR VARIOUS REPORTS. 


Report of a Committee Instructed with a Particular 
Resolution. 


The undersigned, a committee to whom was referred 
the resolution offered by Mr. Johnson, in favor of an 


112 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


amendment to the constitution of this society, pro- 
viding for the election of an additional recording secre- 
tary, beg leave to report: 

That, on investigation of the facts of the case, it 
appears that the engagements of our present recording 
secretary prevent him from attending all of the meet- 
ings, without great loss and inconvenience to himself; 
but that, nevertheless, he has been present at all times 
to fulfil his duties, in a satisfactory manner; and that 
it further appears that the labors of the secretary have 
been, at times, so arduous as to have required the as- 
sistance of another person, the expense of which has 
been defrayed by the secretary himself. As the society 
allows no compensation to its recording officer, it is 
proper it should put upon him no expenditure; and, as 
it appears, from a conference on the subject with the 
party concerned, that with an additional secretary, the 
duties appertaining to the office could be performed 
without serious inconvenience to either, your commit- 
tee report back the resolution with a recommendation 
that it pass the society. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

SAMUEL L. MITCHEL, 
WILLIAM BRONSON. 


Report of the Minority of the Previous Committee. 
The undersigned, a minority of a committee to which 
was referred the resolution offered by Mr. Johnson, 


Forms for Various Resolutions 113 


proposing an amendment to the constitution of the so- 
ciety, providing for an additional recording secretary, 
beg leave to report: 

That he is forced to dissent from the majority of 
the committee, for the reason that he believes the duties 
of the office to be such as can be discharged by one 
person, without inconvenience; and that, if they have 
proved a source of loss to the present incumbent, his 
proper course would be to resign the trust, and let it be 
assumed by some one as competent to fulfil it, but with 
whose business its duties will not injuriously interfere. 
He, therefore, recommends that the resolutions do not 
pass. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

ANDREW FERRERS. 


Report of the Treasurer of a Beneficial Association. 

The undersigned, treasurer of the Provident Bene- 
ficial Association of Peoria, begs leave to submit his 
annual report: 

The balance in the treasurer’s hands at the com- 
mencement of the present year, was thirty-one (31) 
dollars. During the year, as will be seen by reference 
to the exhibit A, which is hereby appended, there has 
been received into the treasury, from all sources, five 
hundred and sixty-five (565) dollars and seventy-five 
(75) cents. During the same time the expenditures 
have amounted to two hundred and seventeen (217) 


114 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


dollars and ninety (90) cents, leaving a balance to the 
credit of the society, and subject to its order, of three 
hundred and forty-seven (347) dollars and eighty-five 
(85) cents. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
A. Pepper, Treasurer P. B. A. 


A 
Provident Beneficial Association, in account with 
Dr. A. Pepper, Treasurer. Cr. 


1925. 1925. 
Dec. 31. Tocash paid for Jan. 1. By Bal. on hand 
aid to divers from last 
members ...$108.00 year’s acct. . $31.00 
To rent, paid J. Dec. aL) ebyi diestse 455.00 
Freeman ... 60.00 By initiation 
To stationery... 4.90 fees 0 eee 78.00 
To funeral exp. 45.00 Byrhnes 73a sn 1.75 
$217.90 


Bal. on hand .. 347.85 


$565.75 $565.75 


The undersigned, a committee appointed for the purpose, have 
compared the foregoing account with the vouchers, and find it to 
be correct. 

James L. Smita, 
ROY PATON 


FORMS FOR VARIOUS PETITIONS. 
Petition for the Pardon of a Convict. 
To ———, Esq., Governor of the State of ————: 
The petition of the undersigned, citizens of Indian- 
apolis, respectfully represents : 


Forms for Various Resolutions 115 


That on the fifth day of January, 1926, John Jones, 
of the city of Indianapolis, was convicted, before the 
Circuit Court in said city, of the crime of manslaughter, 
and sentenced therefor to the State prison at Jefferson- 
ville, where he now remains, for the term of ten years 
and six months; that the evidence upon which he was 
convicted, as will be seen by the summary appended, 
was not altogether conclusive; that previous to that 
time the said Jones had maintained the reputation of 
being a peaceable and upright man; and that his con- 
duct while in prison, according to the letter of the 
warden, filed herewith, has been most exemplary. The 
said Jones has a family who need his support, and 
under the impression that the well-being of society will 
not be injured by his freedom, and that the ends of 
justice, under the circumstances of the case, have been 
sufficiently answered, respectfully implore the execu- 
tive clemency in his behalf. 

Remonstrance Against the Passage of a Law. 
To the General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania: 

The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the vil- 
lage of Port Kennedy, respectfully sets forth, that they 
have learned that a bill is now before the two Houses 
of the Assembly for the purpose of erecting the town 
aforesaid into a corporate borough, and, believing such 
a measure to be unnecessary and injurious, and against 
the will of the inhabitants in the limits of the proposed 
borough, respectfully, but energetically, remonstrate 
against its passage by your honorable body. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION ON PARLIAMEN- 
TARY PRACTICE. 


THE following questions embody the general prin- 
ciples of parliamentary law, and when mastered give 
to the individual a thorough knowledge of these im- 
portant questions. It is a student’s review and should 
be investigated and studied in all its detail. 


vv 


QUESTIONS. 


. What is debate? 
. What is gained in debate? 
. What is meant by logical treatment? 
4. What is the object of debate? 
5. What benefits accrue from this system of dis- 
cussion ? | 
6. How can a person become a good debater? 
7. In establishing a harmonious system of discus- 
sion, what must first be considered? 
8. What are rules of government? 
9g. What are parliamentary rules? 
10. From what source did we derive these recog- 
nized rules? 


WN & 


116 


Questions for Examination 117 


11. Why have these rules been taken from those 
governing the British Parliament? 

12. Did rules of government originate with the 
British Parliament? Where did they originate? 

13. Why is it necessary for all assemblies to have an 
established code of rules? 

14. What then is the design of parliamentary law? 

15. What does our general parliamentary law gov- 
ern? 

16. Are these rules binding upon legislative bodies? 

17. Does Congress have an unchangeable set of 
rules? 

18. Are they changeable in the British Parliament? 

19. Why did we not adopt the same principle of re- 
tention? 

20. Are the underlying principles of all parliament- 
ary government the same? 

21. In the general assemblies of the people what law 
governs? 

22. Who is recognized as the authority on parlia- 
mentary practice? 

23. What is a legislative manual? 

24. When such legislative manual is adopted by any 
particular legislature, does it become authority for the 
next body following it? 

25. Would it be possible to establish a system of 
governing rules which would agree in every particular 
with that of Congress, or other legislative assembly ? 


118 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


26. What is the difference between a legislative and 
a deliberative assembly ? 

27. Name some of the classes of deliberative assem- 
blies. 

28. Do both Houses of Congress have the same 
legislative manual? 

29. Name two important rules of the Senate which 
are in conflict with the rules of the House. 

30. Name some of the rules of the House that could 
not be applied to common parliamentary law. 

31. What are Debating Clubs? 

32. What benefits may result from an earnest con- 
duct of such clubs? 

33. What should be the attitude of the members? 

34. How may the usefulness of debating societies be 
determined ? 

35. How are reforms established ? 

36. What is deliberative oratory? 

37. Why should every student study parliamentary 
law? 

38. Why should he study and practice in debate? 

39. What are some of the essentials of a good de- 
bater ? 

40. In debating should the speaker confine himself to 
a written argument? 

41. What preparation should a speaker make in the 
study of an argument? 

42. What is an outline of discussion? 


Questions for Examination 119 


43. Is this an important feature in a discussion? 

44. How can a person become an extemporaneous 
speaker ? 

45. Are public speeches usually extemporaneous? 

46. In practicing extemporaneous speaking what 
very important consideration must be observed ? 

47. In the opening of a debate what should be the 
aim of the speaker? 

48. To whom falls the necessity of establishing the 
burden of proof? 

49. What is an exordium? a peroration? 

50. What is an organized meeting? 

51. How are people called together for the purpose 
of organizing a deliberative assembly? 

52. There being no organization, what is the first step 
to be employed after the people have come together ? 

53. What is a temporary organization? 

54. What is a permanent organization? 

55. How is a new organization usually started? 

56. What two officers are necessary in all delibera- 
tive assemblies? 

57. Who are entitled to participate in the proceed- 
ings of an assembly? 

58. What other officers besides president and secre- 
tary may be elected? 

59. What is the presiding officer of the United 
States Senate called? 

60. What in the House of Representatives? 


120 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


61. What in ordinary meetings resulting from a pub- 
lished call? 

62. What term is commonly employed in literary 
and other societies? 

63. What names are applied to the recording offi- 
cer? 

64. What is the difference between majority and 
plurality? 

65. If there is no established rule governing the 
question of majority and plurality, which is the recog- 
nized law in deliberative assemblies? 

66. Are the governors of the various states elected 
by a majority or a plurality vote? 

67. In legislative elections how are tie votes some- 
times decided? 

68. When a call for an assembly does not include the 
whole people, who are recognized as lawful members ? 

69. What are credentials? 

70. How are credentials obtained? 

71. When are the credentials, or certificates of mem- 
bership, examined and acted upon? 

72. When rival claims are presented, how is the as- 
sembly to proceed ? 

73. Do the contending members have the privileges 
of other members during the discussion of rights? 

74. Does it become necessary that the president, or 
clerk, shall be a member of the assembly? 

75. In legislative bodies is the clerk a member of that 
body? 


Questions for Examination 121 


76. In the Senate of the United States, and most 
state senates, is the president a:member ? 

77. Who is president in these bodies? 

78. When an assembly has rightfully appropriated a 
room or place for its sessions, how can it protect itself 
from disorderly or improper conduct of any member, 
or any person not entitled to be therein? 

79. What authority has an assembly to employ suffi- 
cient force to remove such person or persons? 

80. What does the Constitution of the Umted States 
guarantee on this authority? 

81. Repeat this article of the Constitution. 

82. When a person or persons became disorderly, are 
they subject to prosecution? 

83. What are rules of order? 

84. Why is it necessary that every deliberative as- 
sembly should have such rules? 

85. What are special rules? 

86. If special rules come in conflict with general par- 
liamentary law, which must yield? 

87. Explain why this is so. 

88. How is the judgment, opinion, sense or will of a 
deliberative assembly expressed? 

8g. Illustrate by example the three ways of ex- 
pressing judgment, opinion, sense or will of an assem- 
bly. 

go. How are motions made and acted upon? 

gi. What form is usually adopted in addressing the 
chair when a motion is presented? 


122 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


92. If a motion is not seconded what becomes of it? 

93. Why is it necessary that every motion should re- 
ceive a second? 

94. Suppose the mover of a properly seconded reso- 
lution desires to withdraw the motion, how shall he 
proceed ? 

95. Suppose the person seconding refuses to with- 
draw his second, what becomes of the motion? 

96. After a presiding officer has stated that a motion 
has been made and seconded, can it be withdrawn? 

97. When so stated, does it still belong to the mover 
of the question? 

98. Then to whom does the question belong? 

gg. Can any person make a motion to withdraw the 
question after it has been stated by the presiding officer ? 

100. Explain why the persons who made and sec- 
onded the motion have lost their personal authority 
over the question when duly stated to the assembly. 

101. What is the difference between a vote and a 
ballot? 

102. Does a majority vote always decide? 

103. Name some decisions that require more than a 
majority vote. 

104. What is a veto? 

105. What is an impeachment? 

106. What president of the United States was im- 
peached ? 

107. What motions should be presented in writing? 

108. Which may be given orally? 


Questions for Examination 123 


109. At the close of a debate or deliberation, how 
does the presiding officer proceed ? 

110. How does the presiding officer state a question? 

111. If, after the vote is taken, the presiding officer 
is unable to decide, how is the vote to be determined? 

112. When the presiding officer’s decision is ques- 
tioned, what action shall be taken? 

113. What is the casting vote? 

114. Is the presiding officer of a common assembly 
debarred from voting? 

115. What is done in case of a tie vote? 

116. Is every member of an assembly obliged to 
vote? 

117. If a member desires to be excused from voting 
what should be the proper course? 

118. What is viva voce? 

119. What assemblies often adopt the viva voce vote? 

120. When an assembly requires the yeas and nays 
by roll-call, how proceed? 

121. What is it to re-open the discussion? 

122, Can a question be re-opened for discussion 
after the voting has been commenced? 

123. If a question has been re-opened and discussion 
engaged in, how continue with the voting? 

124. What form of voting cannot be suspended and 
a question re-opened? 

125. What is a quorum? 

126. What is the duty of the presiding officer in 
regard to a quorum? 


124 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


127. Suppose the presiding officer is about to render 
a decision and a member announces that there is no 
quorum, what must be done? 

128. Suppose business has been transacted, and after- 
wards it was ascertained that at that particular time 
there was no quorum, what effect does this discovery 
have upon the transaction? 

129. What is a peremptory decision? 

130. What is a constitution? 

131. How are constitutions instituted ? 

132. How are constitutions amended? 

133. How was the constitution of the United States 
organized into a primary law? 

134. How can it be amended? 

135. How many amendments to the constitution of 
the United States have been adopted? 

136. How are changes made in the rules of an organ- 
ization? 

137. When adopted rules are disregarded or in- 
fringed upon, whose duty is it to take notice thereof? 

138. Suppose it is not the sentiment or wish of an 
assembly that a particular rule be enforced? 

139. How avoid any future enforcement of distaste- 
ful rules? 

140. What is adjournment? 

141. Explain how it can be used. 

142. How are rules amended? 

143. When there are no provisions for the assembly 


Questions for Examination 125 


to amend or repeal the rules governing them, when can 
changes be made? 

144. Can a rule be dispensed with or suspended, 
where there is no express provision on the subject? 

145. What is “unanimous consent’? 

146. When an assembly is not likely to finish its 
business at one sitting, when would be the most oppor- 
tune time to fix the next date for reassembling? 

147. In the election of officers of deliberative assem- 
blies why is it necessary that absolute majorities should 
be required? 

148. Name ten duties of the President, or presiding 
officer. 

149. What are the duties of the Vice-President? 

150. What are the duties of the Secretary? 

151. What is a Corresponding Secretary? 

152. What are the duties of the Treasurer? 

153. What is a Board of Directors? 

154. Can the officers of a company be a board of 
directors? 

155. What is a stock company? 

156. How is a stock company organized ? 

157. What is a stock company without capital? 

158. What is it “to sustain decorum’? 

159. In case of a tie vote can the presiding officer be 
compelled to vote? 

160. When a motion is made that relates exclusively 
to the presiding officer, who should put the motion? 


126 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


161. What is a journal? 

162. When is the journal read? 

163. Should the secretary record in the journal all 
of the important transactions of the assembly? 

164. What are credentials? 

165. What is an officer pro tem.? 

166. Must an officer who has been appointed pro 
tem., surrender the office on the arrival of the perma- 
nent official ? 

167. What is the duty of every member? 

168. If a member wishes to obtain the floor, how 
should he address the presiding officer ? 

169. Suppose the presiding officer refuses to notice 
the member calling for recognition, what is the duty 
of that member? 

170. How is a subject properly brought before the 
assembly ° 

171. Is a member in order who attempts to speak on 
a subject before it is properly presented? 

172. When several members rise and address the 
chair at the same time, to whom should the president 
give recognition ? 

173. Suppose this recognition should be against the 
sentiment of the assembly, how can it be adjusted? 

174. When charges are made against a member, can 
the assembly request that he withdraw from the room 
while the matter is under discussion? 

175. When can a speaker be called to order? 

176. How shall the person calling to order proceed? 


Questions for Examination 127 


177. Under such circumstances what is the duty of 
the presiding officer? 

178. What action may the assembly take? 

179. Can the offending member make apology and 
thus prevent any action? 

180. If disorderly words are spoken, when must 
action be taken? 

181. Can any action be taken after the transaction 
of business? 

182. What are some of the rights of members? 

183. What is the right to call to order? 

184. When a speaker legally obtains the floor, what 
is his privilege? 

185. If called to order, what must he do? 

186. Can a presiding officer interrupt a member on 
the floor, except on question of order? 

187. Can an adjournment be called for while the 
member has the floor? 

188. How long can a member legally hold the floor, 
if he confines himself to the subject under discussion? 

189. What is it to appeal from the decision to that 
of the assembly? 

190. How shall the presiding officer conduct this ap- 
peal? 

191. If the appeal is an important question and the 
presiding officer desires to enter into his own defense, 
how should he proceed? 

192. When the assembly has made its decision, what 
does the presiding officer do? 


128 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


193. What punishment can be inflicted upon a mem- 
ber for wilfully violating the rule of the assembly? 

194. What attitude should a member assume towards 
his fellow members? 

195. What position should a secretary or clerk as- 
sume while reading or calling the assembly ? 

196. What is meant by calling the assembly? 

197. What are communications? 

198. What is the order of business? 

199. After reading the minutes, what does the pre- 
siding officer say? 

200. If errors occur in the minutes, how are they. 
corrected? 

201. What are motions and how made? 

202. What is the call for the question? 

203. How prepare a petition for presentation? 

204. What is the duty of a member presenting a 
petition ? 

205. What deviation is usually practiced from this 
regular method of proceeding? 

206. When petitions or other similar subjects are 
before the assembly for action, how are they usually 
disposed of? 

207. What is the object of making a motion “to lay 
on the table’? 

208. When any question is ordered to lay on the 
table, when does it again come before the assembly? 
209. Can a motion tu lay on the table be debated ? 

210. Is this motion subject to amendment? 


Questions for Examination 129 


211. If a motion to lay on the table is lost, what 
is the next procedure in the business of the assembly? 

212. What question supersedes the one to lay on the 
table? 

213. What question supersedes all others? 

214. Suppose a question when voted to “lay on the 
table’’ is never recalled, what becomes of that subject? 

215. It is often said a motion to adjourn is always 
in order. Is this true? 

216. Name four particulars in which a motion to 
adjourn is not in order. 

217. When is a motion to adjourn debatable? 

218. Can a motion to adjourn be amended? 

219. When a motion to adjourn is without a speci- 
fied time, what becomes of the assembly? 

220. What is the difference between a motion to ad- 
journ and a motion to adjourn sine die? 

221. After a motion to adjourn is lost, when can it 
be voted upon again? 

222. When a subject is under debate, what questions 
can be received ? 

223. By what name are these questions distinguished 
from principal motions? 

224. What are subsidiary questions? 

225. How are subsidiary motions classified ? 

226. When the question is considered useless or in- 
expedient, and the assembly desires to suppress it, what 
subsidiary questions are used? 

227. When more information is wanted, or time for 


130 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


reflection or examination is required, or when there are 
pressing claims on the assembly, what subsidiary mo- 
tions are used? 

228. When the form is defective, or a more careful 
consideration should be necessary, what motion? 

229. When alterations are desired, what subsidiary 
motion is employed ? 

230. Is the previous question used in the Senate of 
the United States? 

231. Why is it used in the House and not in the 
Senate? 

232. What subsidiary motion is usually made when 
it is the desire of the assembly to postpone a question 
until the subject under consideration may suit their 
convenience better than when presented? 

233. What is the meaning of the previous question? 

234. Why is it not debatable? 

235. If the previous question is lost, what becomes 
of the main question? 

236. If the previous question is carried, how pro- 
ceed? 

237. What do you understand by gag-law? 

238. When the previous question is called for, what 
motions may supersede it? 

239. Can a motion to postpone be amended? 

240. What is the aim of a motion to postpone in- 
definitely ? 

241. What is the division of a question? 


Questions for Examination 131 


242. When a motion is thus divided what becomes 
of it? 

243. Are these divisions open to amendment? 

244. What must be the condition of a proposition to 
admit of a division? 

245. In legislative bodies propositions are known as 
filling blanks, how are such propositions presented and 
acted upon? 

246. When several propositions are made for filling 
blanks which relate to time or number,—as a day when 
postponement shall take place, the number of which a 
committee shall consist,—which proposition must be 
taken up first? 

247. When the propositions relate to limitation,— 
as the amount of tax to be raised, the rate of interest, 
or what day the session of a legislature shall be closed 
by adjournment, which propositions must be taken up 
first? 

248. What are the terms addition, separation, and 
transposition, as they are used in legislative assem- 
blies ? 

249. When an amendment is made by striking out a 
particular paragraph or certain words, and the amend- 
ment is rejected, can it again be moved to strike out 
the same words, or a part of them? 

250. When a question has been moved to amend, or 
an amendment to an amendment, how shall the presid- 
ing officer proceed in stating the question? 


132 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


251. In the third form of amending by striking out 
and inserting, how proceed? 

252. When a motion to strike out and insert is car- 
ried, what changes can be made? 

253. What is the manner of stating a question which 
is required to be amended by striking out, or inserting, 
or striking out and inserting other words? 

254. Can an amendment be made which will"destroy 
the entire original motion? 

255. In deliberate assemblies, what motion can be 
made and take the place of a regular question? 

256. What is a motion to commit? 

257. What is a standing committee? 

258. What is a select committee? 

259. Is a motion to commit subject to amendment? 

260. Is a motion to commit debatable? 

261. Which is the most complicated of all the privi- 
leged questions? 

262. What is the ruling of the House of Represent- 
atives in regard to an amendment which would destroy 
the original bill? 

263. What is an omnibus bill? 

264. What is a rider as termed in legislation? 

265. Name three ways in which amendments are 
made. 

266. What is an amendment to an amendment? 

267. How far can these amendments be carried? 

268. Suppose after an amendment to an amendment 


Questions for Examination 133 


has been made it is discovered that another amendment 
is necessary, how proceed? 

269. Can anything which has been stricken out be 
moved to be put back? 

270. Is it in order to propose an amendment which 
is inconsistent with one already adopted? 

271. When such an amendment is presented, is it 
competent for the presiding officer to suppress it as 
being contrary to order? 

272. Why does the presiding officer not have this 
power to suppress? 

273. How state a motion to amend? 

274. What is the order of putting amendments to 
vote? 

275. When an amendment is before an assembly, 
what motions can supersede it? 

276. What are orders of the day? 

277. What is understood by rank? 

278. When there are several subjects assigned for 
the same day, can the orders of the day call for any 
particular subject? . 

279. If a subject has been assigned to a particular 
hour, how should the order of business proceed ? 

280. If a member is speaking, can he be interrupted 
by a motion for the order of the day? 

281. If a question is before an assembly when there 
is a call for the orders of the day, what becomes of the 
question? 


134 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


282. When a subject is ordered for a given day, and 
it is not taken up on that day, what becomes of the 
subject? 

283. If motion for orders of the day is voted down, 
what becomes of the subject before the assembly? 

284. Can the presiding officer be questioned in re- 
gard to his decision as to a breach of order or depar- 
ture from rule? 

285. What is the rule in regard to reading papers? 

286. Why must a member obtain consent of the as- 
sembly before reading any book or paper, or his own 
speech prepared in writing? 

287. When, in the course of a debate or other pro- 
ceedings, the reading of a paper is called for, and an 
objection is made upon it, what is the procedure? 

288. What is the suspension of a rule? 

289. What motion supersedes all the other subsidi- 
ary questions? 

290. How should business be brought before an as- 
sembly ? 

291. When two or more subjects are placed on the 
table, and no priority has been given to one over the 
other, which should command the attention of the as- 
sembly first? 

292. When any paper, which consists of several dis- 
tinct propositions, is presented for the action of the 
assembly, how proceed in the most appropriate manner ? 

293. Where a paper consists of a preamble or title, 
does it become proper to proceed first with the heading? 


Questions for Examination 135 


294. When a paper has been referred to a committee, 
and is reported back to the assembly, how is it taken up 
for consideration? 

295. When the resolutions or articles of the commit- 
tee have been thus agreed upon, how enter the final 
question upon the records of the assembly? 

296. When the paper referred to a committee is re- 
ported back in a new draft, which is often done when 
numerous changes are made, how is the new draft con- 
sidered ? 

297. Give an example of how questions may grow 
out of each other, and in what order they may be de- 
cided. 

298. As six questions may be before the assembly at 
the same time, what is the order of business? 

299. When is a proposition in order for any member 
to discuss it? 

300. What proceeding is sometimes allowed in mov- 
ing of subsidiary motions? 

301. Under such circumstances, what is the duty of 
the presiding officer? 

302. Has a member the right to discuss a subject be- 
fore it is moved? 

303. Is the discussion of a subject, not already 
moved, indulged in by the members? 

304. What is the duty of a person, in speaking, in 
regard to mentioning the name of a member then 
present? 

305. When the presiding officer rises to speak at the 


136 How to Orgamze and Conduct a Meeting 


same time as another member, what is the duty of that 
member ? 

306. Does the introduction of a subsidiary motion 
restrain debate on the general question? 

307. When a member is called to order for departing 
from the subject under consideration, what privilege 
may be extended to him? 

308. How many times can a member speak upon the 
same subject? 

309. On what points may a member speak a second 
time in the same debate? 

310. What is a question of privilege? 

311. When a member wishes to make an explanation 
while another is speaking, and the speaker yields the 
floor for an explanation, does the speaker have the right 
to the floor after the explanation has been given? 

312. What methods do assemblies adopt to prevent a 
continuation of lengthy and unprofitable debate? 

313. When an assembly will not support the presid- 
ing officer in his efforts to maintain order and decorum, 
what will he be justified in doing? 

314. Sometimes it occurs that a member while speak- 
ing does not command the attention of the assembly; 
that his right to be heard is disregarded by improper 
disturbances, whisperings, talking, and other evidences 
of no regard for the speaker. What would be the most 
prudent course of the speaker? 

315. In legislative assemblies, how is the question 
taken by vote? 


Questions for Examination 137 


316. After the affirmative side of the question 
has been put, and voting commenced, is it open to de- 
bate? 

317. What objects can be accomplished by an inter- 
ruption of the voting? 

318. When, during a division, objections arise con- 
cerning the right of any member to vote, how are the 
objections settled? 

319. Suppose, in counting the assembly, on a divi- 
sion, it appears that there is not a quorum present, what 
should be done? 

320. Who has a right to make a motion to recon- 
sider ? 

321. What are the powers of a committee? 

322. When a subject is referred to a committee, 
what custom is usually adopted in the selection of that 
committee ? 

323. What is the duty of the secretary in regard to 
committees ? 

324. Who is the chairman of a committee? 

325. When and where does a committee meet for 
the transaction of business? 

326. Can a committee transact business without the 
attendance of all the members? 

327. If a committee fails to meet at the particular 
time, as ordered by the assembly, what is the result? 

328. If disorderly words are spoken in a committee, 
what is to be done? 

329. What is the difference in the action of a com- 


138 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


mittee on a paper originating with, and one referred to 
them? 

330. If a committee is opposed to the whole paper 
referred to them, can they reject it? 

331. What should be the appearance of a paper origi- 
nating with a committee and reported to the assembly? 

332. How should a committee treat a paper referred 
to it? 

333. When the committee has finished its work, 
what move is next in order? 

334. How does a committee make its report? 

335. If the report is deferred to some future time, 
what is the manner of their disposing of it? 

336. If the report is of a paper with amendments, 
what is done? 

337. Is a motion and vote necessary in accepting a 
report ? 

338. When a report is of considerable length, how is 
it usually presented to the members for its inspection? 

339. When is a committee dissolved? 

340. Does the action of a committee have any bear- 
ing upon a subject recommitted? 

341. In how many forms may the report of a com- 
mittee be presented ? 

342. When the report of a committee is accepted, 
how is it regarded by the assembly? 

343. What is a committee of the whole? 

344. How resolve an assembly into a committee of 
the whole? 


Questions for Examination 139 


345. What is a majority report? 

346. Can a majority report be amended and a mi- 
nority report substituted? 

347. Who acts as clerk in recording the business 
transactions of the committee of the whole? 

348. How are the records of this committee kept? 

349. What is the difference between the proceedings 
of the assembly and the committee of the whole? 

350. How is an improper discussion avoided, which 
in the assembly can be governed by the previous 
question ? 

351. If the business of the committee is not con- 
cluded at the usual time for the assembly to adjourn, or 
if the committee have other reasons for not continuing, 
how shall they proceed? 

352. In committee of the whole, who is the presiding 
officer ? 

353. What is the object of committee of the whole? 

354. Is the formality of a motion and question ever 
dispensed with as to the time of receiving a report? 

355. What is a committee of investigation? 

356. How can a legislative body compel the atten- 
dance of sufficient members to constitute a quorum? 

357. What is a sergeant-at-arms? 

258. What is a session? 

359. What is a caucus? 

360. How are nominations made? 

361. What is a primary election law? 

362. How are presidents elected? 


140 How to Organize and Conduct a Meeting 


363. How are members of each House of Congress 
chosen? 

364. Why are states apportioned a different number 
of electoral votes? 

365. How is the number of representatives from 
each state decided upon? 

366. Why has the small state of Rhode Island the 
same voice in the Senate that is given the large state of 
Texas? 

367. What are the objections of electing the presi- 
dent of the United States by popular vote? 

368. How many members are in the House of Repre- 
sentatives ? 

369. Which state has the greatest number of repre- 
sentatives in Congress? Which the least number? 

370. How is the constitution of the United States 
amended? 

. 371. What special duty should be imposed upon ev- 
ery presiding officer in the discharge of business? 


INDEX 


“Accepr AND Apopt,” the terms......... Poses dete ee ce'd oe 40 
*ddisonian- Society, constitution of - the: [i.06c.vels veceeee 97 
RuCl | CSAMMEN OLIOIUBLO eta le st ROT rea sledewls adie s'c iis be te dace Me's 54,55 
POLO INen ts SIT DIC ae elle Cia ea lsele selstale’a'e Sas lu esiere eats 55 
Puen memories VLO5 meee ce Sra iale a ste oe be tie clei clots oo oletare 62 
Ament motion tO); Mode, Of» Stating i, cle vasics cs ob ams ose 66 
PA MENG MITOCHON: they TATRA OL ele lee <u sie deel eens bel cece as 66 
PUNCUUMeNtSs LOU VOLC FOLGEN Olt eras baat e okies meduecied cease 66 
PA TTIETICSTICHES MP TIEThI tat EOPc/ at lee hstuiete cietrtarele eters id's elalela edicts daere 62, 63 
Amendments, three ways to make..........cccccccccceces 63 
PA CHIEINCHER On AINENCIMNCND cle cle. a vieilela atc es ees aetle nate 63, 64 
Amendments received, not alterable. J... 0.0.0.0. c0ke acess 64 
PU PrOrICMOM Ea tle COM ICT ooh al ls Wis ane srok SiO» tie a bdaateis dee 65 
WAMICMG MOLES. 6 OPPOL Mit ya t OP e.ci4s)o Celie sles este erie ae Wie 62, 63 
rimenaments ,ofter! Of Others vi543ck bie cans cele cuigaledc cuss 40 
PA TMD ING RUYESTTIRINS 1 Olltsss oy a Oh so '0'o cated lec cla Sa eo belgian 65 
Amending by striking out and inserting...............06. 65 
A DUCAL at nee Li Set WEARIE A A yh ua ERO Cut ie ee ae oreiees a0 
PE TCU Ae Cl CCER ORE rain ils cic sels alo'ld's c's atue fei cte'y be ele oF 
POUCA ET GOMPLNIG: CLAIIG Wace och ss s.0s cinla a we Wielalee chats elaree: ae 102 
PAY OUIer SRA LAM) hr cha is Wah wlcais aide ae cin sd ata deca ott 48 
PNM TMI BAM CIT CHOU ra hy oons Wick ata lisie el ai sera wale Wat ie, ered « 49 
A ssemnilvin au CelDeratiVey: ss is § ssi snk a calek ve oouee cls ms delete 25 
FVALLOTISMEANING?) OBR Gla act cS te cdri nk cleohicehitd Seek es aeede 30 
Ballot and vote, difference...... Gin Gute tee ase we ewes 30 
MeO Pin Matice CUCSTION Dy vatie Mies oy ¥ vices ate's wielere ale, ule aide sieleielels 49 
TAAL Seen DE oes © 48 be aha gb ea tie aR ERE ies c Hewat wey s 68 
Ph SITE ae A COMITHENIOINGS (ht Pyik sits aie ci ercle Oe.ale arnlelerd ciel a 'ave wheels eo 12,13 
BGSINeSs POLOCEN OS oe te ce itareltn's wo cies ee Fiesta wieslcia wa's viele, a ae 34).42 
DiGnla WS eee eet calle SPOIL 1° 0b Sia bo kis Soon 6 8 9b a ple We ath 8 102 
CASTING “VOTH,) THe ross tse sae tvs 5 eb 8 3 See Bare rages 32 
CENAITINATH fot ae ut re eRe ena leva etereei ats: Nklan wesw ate ! 10 
141 


142 Index 


Chair, anpeal itromthevesunts wens ce ts Sate By austen 17 
Chairman of ' committees, sc. sc ces ceeee eee eetenae bttg 79 
Charges \investization (Orsncncsuvecar sie as ae AT 85 
Circle, (arguing tin ta cece seek c Oba e st wteseha tein ote eee 49 
Clerk’ thes iy PEAS rm te CL SLR 2 ANE kee Pe 21 
Clay, ‘Henry, practice of (ante). + teks ces eeece Cue eeeiaee 8 
Code, the ;common ‘parliamentary. {.'.0.4 5). pene wee rete I 
Code,the Vold Romans 2 Pie lon. yk a se ties Bates eee eee I 
Conmimith Motion tos ee cales va ea din an eae ak ea dine eine 60 
Commits motion (to Memect vol cords, eee ee ae lvusecle en pie a 61 
Commit’: motion to, fank’ OL sass pees ally alte Cae 61 
Committee) defined sags ou eiveniok a Ciahies at ata ee ey 77 
Committees kindsioti car vapes Coceeck can ey cena cnt eten 77 
Committee (selects sa 2GUts aie pn Vides thee alee tele yh aan none 78 
Committee'of the | wholes uc aie ce wee een aie 78 
Gomimuittees, | Standing acne, seins: aiviae a tal cls e tte Taare 77 
Committee: conterence cia suns se sce site eee chek eae 78 
Committee Tomb ee On eS ai fae ne : 78 
Committees, | Fepore! OL coe sets ees as vite wie doom emma : 82 
Committees, reports °fromtc ane as peice nce aan ies 38, 82 
Committees! work? Of0 1 Urs vanes eeuels de anes aes . 77-87 
Constitutions, several fOrmsOl cya we eek at eee eee 
Corresponding secretary! isla cock des cements eet 99 
Credentials) of | delewates. (cence ics ose ak ay ten en 22 
}  MAEBATE. SOBTECT OFS isie'e ac rate bl oeielele ie eine & cle miele aie ee I 
Debate ability (tol oOo ies eos Cee cice abed tenia io: Smmnce en 74 
Debate) Order OF ose ey acres cia ce eects eck Rie pent nena 43-46 
Debate, whom to, adaress ine ey. cn ea be calm enone cn ee 44 
Debate. designation ot member in. os ea ene ae ene 44 
Debate, ‘personalities (any. ec cam gies vlc sine weet selene eens 45 
Debate, opening ‘and ‘closing JU eon ee oa een 45 
Debate; iauestions tore .. Gees coe aan ae ala eee ae 88 
Debates in outline Oo ar Sate cola) ee tee are mea ee ea 3-7 
Debater, essentials of a good........ pan yer SRP ah te pA es 2 
Debating Societies (eis el ueecavdienaaes fs at eeratee eee 2 
Debating societies, importance Of.........ccccecccscccres ig 2 
Debating societies, usefulness of....... We rne e Cae te Gaal ban 2 
Decisions, eHow, \NAdEL. oa cea wae cowed ec ntais le eenerenaaenas 29 
Decision questioned, sisics wecss vets ss eee te a een 31 
ROCISION Og iu ae aia uals Muu MR Ie pe ase ences dalek Mie dee teenth VME, ©; 


Decision Of A, Question ails acre were wie sea ciate Gate ee oa sega 20 


Index 143 


Decision of a question, to hasten.......... Fea eetiile we aeetie 20 
Pee lier a Clee ASSCHI DIU El rer aie! ay tohelaichcfu assets oc tarermiclo s/he le aoe & 10 
Discussion defined........ CLIN, ITU Dive Yew wut wales 47 
Discussion ...... SUNTEERTRCEC TUNES OS hehe bk Ghee eee ce Y 32 
MPSSC TIS OY REILCRELOMIG HL soe Tak wicteiorciste ticity aivie §b Aeee ee ce a 88 
Disorderly WOrdSrs backs vee nts see heh es Meath, ae dist yiih 0 16 
BOUTON Pe OMIOOES ere eta aleleerancielela vid Kate Gls ales aale Ws gpae 19-23 
PUES se DLERIION UL stitial cain vice cd ele kle'y ss ante elas oye 19-20 
TIUTIES 70 Fe VICE PFESICENIEE Chics os Mica dsoniak a cc's Gite aie id ele are 20-21 
PIILICR UCT SOCTOLATH lel ete alos Os goals Win Vols baleen caelaats 21 
PIUCICS TUL HITCRBUTER wc eid ae eras Cale so elias vide da’ wlecwia aie We 23 
Duties.and rights! of) members. Vee. ei lee dk de te 14-18 
PRAMINATIONS  GUESTIONS) FOR feisecihu clo cies eclee ee seew see oe 116 
POXOT OMNI SNC Ate | HELOTACION sui da eel lasise ai ete cak vive ee 50 
ITXIEIMNOFAMEOUS SANG UALE oi he iis Soler sd cive aie atic Ue one die 7~Q 
ERE OUR Weis EL PSS OP WT EL Bie tac 9's lela v kee Wale lao sia ea nile’ a Walaa aere« 43 
FUOOUMIOLGDLAMINENC ds ecru cai iele ite uae dale ate Wick aalsie c alegled ye 44 
GAG-LAW THE ..... CU eM aN Ee hil hs aad e a el a He dW We ie he 58 
ENCIDEMTRUT QUESTIONS Fa tstaltuiccdte Seen pce ecele catalase awe ei 53 
MTC OLICHIOTE aT etree Gein Witsicid iovic sievlichhuie se hee rat ole vette I-V 
RVestioationy Oy Chatees acidosis yd uatcmoin ey tate Ov oe ttd 84 
OLN Fee CUMOMULTER vrai its OL sal wea clue see is dot Ne curs 78) 
WOUrDaL reading ANG ANOTOVINS soto ucla eaticela uw ewes 35 
PPOUIS AIA PRCELOUIG Ril aoc \ ale tare fra else a tesa tet ialed ata cael 36 
EIS tla te ELLE ICSi 1) SPECIMEN sl dara tates Vecleiewie wala ce cenee sees ; 36 
PA NGOACE AGENT EM PORANROUS Che Ge ccs epee ol poneia s Gee bed 7-0 
angiiage, abusive, midebates ei ioi coven dsl scencseacesas : 45 
RAVE PAC UATIOT ACY LT un a atts share evahe cl tialatae| ate grate aire seats ais te 3 
TOA Wild RAR y eC aay dele easter ete cists hcluehats Nien civ't idle # sie 58 
MAJORITY VOTE..... WH ahavabriale shale aret eletihe cure ek dara a eheta y o's fate 26 
ata PeMent: Util LOUESTION S sreies ccna tlslotee's ee urate le sia a s,s 47 
PL CEUINA EL OLOANZEG a MoO ie seta ainey ee ae Es ve at et 24 
MAMTIDELSuTCitIeS) alld TIMES OL yalcloaie Gada ee'e cet se cele ate «© 14-18 
Members in debate, designating.............ccceeeeees eo 44 


Memorials, petitions, etc., introduction of....... Weeee Urea aero 


144 Index 


Methodical’ ‘statements. 0.4.0.0 0015 oe te swe aene ARE Beli 47 
Minority reports: reste eee. tk eid sis we Leda ye ee : 42 
Minority, report; otime vioti cs sisa'cke be hace oe coe eee 41 
Mintites Gere yee e ort sete cee bee oe rd uae ce ae 36 
Minutes, dispecimen sty) sc tuys seks seed este ane . 36 
Motion, to second jas heh vecewoe os ode ae tack ha ee 29 
Motions (oral'cand written vc 0; oo ss bo sce ee eee eee 30 
Motion for istispension) of (rulesy.)...) 4 .s64e sen oeeenee 73 
Motion» to creconsider, .7...%. 0s eee oh ree ese a ee Sitch hee 74 
Motion ;to reconsider) restriction, tov). »....s .u.sse eee 74 
Motion to reconsider, affirmative decision................. 74 
Motion, management of (outline review)..............0+. 75 
Motion  toladjourn fie7a ees eros eek ca pe eat see 54,55 
Motion toylaycon) table; 2 twee. ieee nc eas nents eee 56 
Motion /:t0 SPOSEPONE Ue ens eee bie ow ee nls cle nde ees 59 
Motion *topostpone,\ rank dist ns. ces. vies chlo caen seen 76 
Motion’ sto Pcominnts beau Soe ee ee eer ey eee 60 
Motion tos comiit; iranki os aac ee eee eee 76 
Motion, 10; cominit; effects of, cre. seuu anieaee eee al teen 76 
Motion: ta amends. has Ce ee a an ee eer 76 
Motion ‘to amend, modeot stating a2, 0.4. 21s cis neve oe 66 
Motion! to amend, rank torige: soe <u sctee le eae eee tee 66 
Motion | to,amend, tsuperseded?s. .5 06. uke ope eee 66 
Motion for -reading °of  papers.2.0.0 os. seater es eee 71 
Motion ‘tor withdrawal: of (motion 24 945 tole scissor tees 72 
Motion to accept ‘or adopt. effect of.10.s «.0c-s ny eee eee 39 
NAYS (AND. YEAS. ‘QUESTION (OF.2 ster situ bic ss Wet cieays er eer 31 
Won-decision) 25.3.)3 fs on aceon ee ese es poset eee eee 33 
QRPICERS sche oldies. wiels steed be ih GNU et OEL INTE Stale ica tee 19-24 
Officers, “the presiding..).¢ 0. ctu Ghee oh vole aes ee ees 19-21 
Officers; ditties fofid 5 a 5 cies eae eis cee ae ye oe eee 19-22, 98 
Official substitutes... Coe rene sivennte eae welche oe erence 23 
Order of! €xercises.c i 0is caw soles see aes canto aeeiee pee eEE 34 
Ordet of) precedencec eyes guise ek es os eects 53 
Order ‘obi debatesc uy in Pi vane eee we tain Awe eee oy eee 43-40 
Order: ‘of s business 5 4.0% fesse elie tel ates ears een ore peae 34-42 
Ordérs tot ithe: day 2055 sate oe ck lec tae vO wines pence ene .. 68-70 
Ordert,)s qhestions fot vr viet mae ape sae cele pl lets ee ngee eens 68-70 
Order of sprivileged questions iic.c.4 205s 4) ah bul eet 52 


Order,vthe ocall toy eee ie bie se iy am nls ae Gl ree oe 35 


Index 145 


Order, difficulty on point of.......... Be AAEE tHe UU Sera 33 
OrderAvenies? Of. 0c cscs 0's... Sea eek ek yg yee . 25-27 
Ordered, resolved, and voted..............0.. suet ees dee OU 
Brera gine e NOG Gin OF fa sists alm wie bares «60 Bia, clod aie ae wines er 10-13 
PireatizatioueetenipOrary teva ce cede cee fen cw whist aE vals su tiyia 
COS ANIZEU TE TICEUING FeAl oe t dretiis vo Ora ols sie ola a on swststa wed n'elee be 12 
Outlines for TeVieWs .ccj0sccccesesecs ves 18, 24, 42, 75, 70, 86, 87 
PAPERS, MOTION FOR READING OF........ EOE ie hee 71 
Parliamentary .code.t the COMMON. cn sacscscss slasicnees ¢3 ; 71 
Pathaiientaryvataw a OUrtDOSear Ol a cecal ie ieeicie stale oe ele ola I 
Mariamentaryr Driticiples OFIGIN. OF. .2 5 s/s bere ofa tcl o'g calalgc win I 
Per ti aentmOrgan za lon ote ead 6 Ad foi bee ala take 12 
OLOLArtOrry ANU TO wm CROLUIIT a wie paiesie ate s'cis hse veoh eae ene 50 
Pet cONalities wITMRCeDALE fecal iach ans deia sec vate haelk se lees on 45 
Petitions, memorials, etc., introduction of................ 37, 38 
PRLILIONS Mm SDECIIICNSS OP tage sa nt haG' ta ate eae Ses inal ee cen ae. 37 
Petitions: .etc.,, further, action tipond.. 2.50 ssi. dds es% 114 
PINraltVERVOlGd societies yates ¢-« Neca aid oS Male Ais ieie clere Cabarete 4 4! 
POSCHONermmITIOUIOINETO te calls ae welen sale tie adic aa cae ote sed as 59 
PUStDUNe mr NOUIOT ee tO; cET Ak sete ale caine dae Pie ain de ih hele a's 60 
BS OMUINET Le AU MOL few ce dered te ce i cniee oe Lie oue we ewe 60 
LEAT DI CMe rate ce gers fais ele via ahs waist ews oe ie Galea Wc dole she 42 
Prreceqencem OLUCEMON cane argiass ace tees sacle Ms eles wee 53 
RIP OLTHUAEV Ee PrOCECUINGS fomtnr yas Cale e stietee eels coh wats 10 
PePeSinINMOICEL MLC hie edie tes tiny thes neCUR tee buldele ds 19, 20 
Presiding as Onicer, NOW A CIECTE(: 2. 5 oasis Cae wah ssa es ooo cele 26 
President, when he may debate...................0ec0es 43 
CCU Ii ame CLC OTIOLE Nate 6 sistance vie pd od state dicts tice apaa tin oe cele 57 
Previous GuestiOn, + AGMUSSION - Ol visa ss oc ¢hsle so ees vanes odie 58 
PITevIOUSMOUCSHOIML Tall 1OLe cy cia Gey iis tilen edule cack ca cw eue 59 
Privileged questions..... Pears arals oa Giese Mee ead Souk rs 51-75 
eT Vilesede CUCatIONS 4) Lista OL tesa Hed, dhl fo ork al ok ks 52-53 
MrT VIDE RMONESTIONS Oli Wen ecb eie tha Rew bose We wens 6 Bin ake 51 
eIVuer enn CUCSHON Ta GL Tales sate dy ren ade s Adelle gute a 59 
Privilege granted a speaker opening................ec000. 45 
IPO LT MP DUL COTES CLS 2 Ato bical o8 oie nies Sea aloicate abet die besa ha Cae 47 
LOMOSILIONSETITTLOrEUIDIEd 3 cee sk he ciee cee eae ws eens cle hak 60 
Propositions, document of several.............cesccsceces 41 
CUES TION Ht MANAGE MENT (ORs (A ov ercie dade occ cle Pht vie ahie 16 31 


PVUOSHIOM MUDCOR I A CELL ry CRGNs alone a stuas aieieide 44 a) dee ic 49 


146 Index 


Question, the previous.............+5 fy aeeae b laa’ meade sae ceo) 
Question, previous, admission Of...........e.08. Prue ae 58, 59 
Questions, how determined..............006. cmindane enn ne 30 
Question: division! (Ors ve ene ye ss oe uk dew dee ee ee 67 
Ouestion by: yeas Vand (nays i.e us ed ee uea tne Munieee 32 
Questions,’ ‘privilered)) necessity of.....-0. cb. ue auates baad 51 
Questions,’ privileged, listVotv is cave. css. Va new ee eee 52, 53 
Questions, for debate....... HONG. SLY ahol enone a eis tjuinte, sates 88 
Questions, subsidiary...) Uc visu wets ok cece sian cee eeane ele 76 
Questions, rank 4 OLGA Ciie peetiek oink Wake Gly ee eee 52 
Question, decision Or) 3. .<.n ce va ues oe week Wo eee eee 20 
Question, additionor) inion \Oh Agios aes ouvlek ay wate eee 67 
Questions; to; strike jout) form) O60. .\).i0ss wee bela dee edee 75 
Questions, | ‘when \‘superseded, 3 /)05../20 bc otc na ee ane ae 69 
Questions OL Drivileme. cou es que cine me ee tke ad eae ee 51 
QOuestions: of | privyilere, rank iG 2 ues. wes eee eae 70 
Oueshons OTP OTAER IS Suciamecldevaia bs eiuielcmiicke ay Ure k eee Weis es onan 70 
Questions, order of privileged (outline).................. 75 
Questions | fori Ciscssion 30025. Viv vielentoeise ae ie eae mae 88 
Quorum, the..... bb aibie « larnradete Nita loves tdie ie are STR Ce eee ame 34 
Quorum of committee of the whole............ccceseeeee 79 
READING OF; (PAPERS, | MOTION | FOR. ;. 2.2% cx ves us po nee wun 71 
Reconsider; motion! (to cuvons cece ue laa oe eae eee 74 
Reconsider, motion to, restrictions to...........ccceecees 74 
Reconsider, motion to, affirmative decision............... 74 
Refiutation sy od ovei cou as ow de aetehice in oan Wee tee ete 48 
Report referred for alteration Aasdat sv bats a UeA eat eee 40 
Report of investigation) of charges... ...0.0: 6 uweneaes Aan 84 
Reports, amendments: tO. easashs wes y ace mere ub ewuane mie 41 
Report, when none'can be;made so... 266520 els ece sues 41 
Reports) ‘from,;commmitteess on007). ica bnnieies aaa eee eee 38 
Report and resolutions separately............ce.ecceeees 39 
Report. of ,committees, ‘time iors. ou. Joes: vee athe be aed 82 
Report, minoritys se Sek oot ew bara aaah Ca ncn 83, 112 
Report/:minority, tine f6r sida s eck egal ater eee 4I 
Reports): various V1Ornis cir cacesus sees ceeeeee a wi! apace a Hig ead 
RESOLUTIONS i eis es cig div ce creme sidondi ak abana it eee ae dc aa , 28 
Resolutions, “various” forms. isisss5>ok: we vhan eh ae eenes 10Q—III 
Resolved, ordered, and voted. itn ae scenes kins Core eee eee 30 
Review; Outlines. LOM. oe cia nn oh wh oe heen lars 18, 24, 42, 75, 76, 86 


Rights: of (the Hoon. weve cave snes such kane cy epee cue 16 


Index 147 


IGUtS EBM {COULIES) Offs MEMDETS: wees ory ces dce utes hie siee Gue 14-18 
Pea eCOUem Lar Olds: hore ee sash haan sere swe eke cee I 
Rules, motion for suspension of.............00. riya (a) tera 73 
BCSHCLMOLURE rT ReC Ce soe cet atest crc ehcr cet caeee ee reuae 106 
IR ULUCSIMINDECIONC cai cas since rcce viseuse Can iaeatee ws ae 28 
ECON DETO AWE MOTION pi cee cae ce ibe ca ating hele create ts 20 
PRCCYeLAL VME Ges cates tie cee Wine a wes aiscd dock cehied vee 80 
DECTeLAnymUUtCSE Ole owen ected “el gin a oe wi at syle 21, 22 
Secretary in committee of the whole...................- 80 
ECletary A COLTESHONCING Sore dice ici i rate ens cuelelemepeaie at 99 
PIPIOCUMCLITITNOCO NS Te et eee a ule bee icik’s cle b's aie siaceme ee 77 
Society, Addisonian, constitution of the................. Q7 
PMICIETICUMCODALITIC Sr umre aa ht lsc eig ee sed ehiole s cic subnets eantete 2 
Bocieties aebating, OuUarantee Is csc eves ues veene ves aa ieee 2 
CSTD MOP MAILE CG a eal eal a a ate x Gil dole eit aes smlal sine lat s ave talt) tam 45 
DS OCAKGrIMMINLERTUtiilien Ava so sine cade cscs davectins pe siever ne sis 44 
Speaker MODEMINE  DLIVICLES LORG oc cise aeale sls aise teaeees's s 14 
SSCA Or MmrOcenichiOnerOlra mi tees auine cb eta re iiedinwere sso 6 45 
SENECA MTCOMITIILCE | ss a cee hs celine oe cee cs A da dtd ae eNO ee 78 
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EAS TANT NAYS, QUESTION, BY i200 ches Ses oe sbws wees see thie 


Shurter’s The Science atid Art of 
Effective Debating 


A complete treatise in simple lan- ae 
guage, discussing the various ways fm ESSE 
eof convincing and persuading in- BRRRR) cv<o. [im 
dividuals or an audience. This is eae et 
an excellent book for class use, and 
will be found invaluable to the 
lawyer, teacher, or anyone else who 
wishes to become an_ effective 
speaker. New edition, just published. 


Contents: The Proposition—Matter and Form, Analysis of 
the Question, Proof, Evidence, Arguments—Constructive Ar- 
gument—Refutation, The Brief, Persuasion, and Methods in 
School and College Debating. Appendices: Questions for 
Debate, Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, and a Specimen 
Debate on Naval Disarmament. 


Nichols and Pearsons’ Intercollegiate 
Debates (10 Volumes) each 2.50 


In these volumes are included nearly all the questions 
discussed in recent years in intercollegiate debates. No 
question discussed in an important intercollegiate debate 
is omitted. Commsplete contents of each of these volumes, 
with the colleges participating in each debate, will be 
sent upon request. 

Te Librarians: Intercollegiate Debates are just the books 


which Librarians need to put into the hands of the many who 
come for material on questions of the day. 


Palmer’s New Parliamentary Manual 1.00 


Designed to be used as a text book in High Schools and 
Colleges. A special feature of this book is a new and 
original table enabling one to decide at a glance any 


question arising on the subject of parliamentary pro- 
cedure. 


Shurter’s Both Sides of 100 Public 
Questions Briefly Debated 2.00 


This volume is a necessary book for every class inter- 
ested in debating, and for every literary or debating 
Society. The “One Hundred Questions” are all of 
present-day interest and in addition, have been tried out 
by the authors in their classes. Under each question are 
given the main lines of arguments, both affirmative and 
negative, New edition, just published. 


2 


McHale’s Pieces That Have 
Won Prizes 2.00 


This volume contains over 150 

SS selections that have won prizes in 
PIECRS THAT Speaking Contests. Among the 

| PRIZES: number being Clean Politics (Roose~ 
i ane ey velt), The Nation’s Need of Men 
i * moves al (Jordan), Lasca (Despres), The 
Reco aree nae Soul of the Violin (Merrill), 
di aera Gunga Din (Kipling), The Last 
pitiget anieee Hymn, The Vagabonds (Trow- 
Nec bridge), The Sermon (Alcott), 
Permanent Peace (Saretsky), A 

Second Trial (Kellogg), The Arena Scene from Quo 
Vadis (Sienkiewicz), A Hero of the Furnace Room, 
etc. In addition to these “prize winners” there are a 
number of excellent Encore Pieces, mostly humorous. 


Howe’s Parliamentary Usage gis 


Open this pocket at the center and you have before you a 
table of all the motions in ordinary use. They are in 
their order of precedence, too! Touch the marginal index 
at left or right, turn the page and you have your rule 
and your reference. Touch index, turn again, and the 
situation is yours.—Arranged for class use. 


Shurter’s Winning Declamations— 
How to Speak Them 


A collection of many brief decla- 
mations of famous speakers and 
writers. Each selection has an 
introductory paragraph suggesting 
the best method of interpretation 
and delivery 

In addition,’ the book itself has an 
introduction telling “How to Be- 
come a Successful Public Speaker.” 


Pearson’s Humorous Speaker 
Every person who achieves to success as 2 public 
speaker or reader ought to have this book. Here you 
will find the kind of pieces that will “bring down the 
house” with peals of side-splitting laughter. Only selec- 
tions by the best authors have been included, such as 
Riley, Jerome, Kipling, Mark Twain, and other equally 


well-known Humorists. ; 
The collection has the distinction of having admitted in no 
case the doubtfully laughable. Where fun is fine is best. 
“The Humorous Speaker’ is best. 


Pearson’s Speaker Series (Eight 
Volumes) each 2.50 


Compiled and edited by Paul M. Pearson, Formerly 
Head of the Public Speaking Department at Swarth- 
more College. 

In a recent issue of the Wisconsin Library Bulletin this 
series is recommended as a standard source for plat- 
form material and is characterized as “probably holding 
first place in the list of never to be superseded stand- 
bys.” The series comprises eight volumes, as follows: 


VOLUME I 
No. 1 Popular Short Stories 
2 Selections Chosen for Declamation Contests 
3 Selections for Children to Recite 
4 Cuttings from Stories 


VOLUME II 
5 Cuttings from Stories 
6 Ten Short Plays 
7 Readings and Four Plays 
8 Briefs for Debates, and Readings 


VOLUME III i 
9 Cuttings from Popular Stories 
10 Modern American Oratory 
11 Dramatic and Humorous Readings 
12 Centennial Number 


VOLUME IV 
13 New Platform Selections 
14 Selections for Religious Occasions 
15 Encores: Nearly 200 Fresh, Bright Hits 
16 Popular Platform Readings 


VOLUME V 
17 Humorous and Dramatic Readings 
18 Monologues 
19 On Temperance 
20 For Declamation Contests 
VOLUME VI 
21 After-Dinner Speaking 
22 School and College Readings 
23 Selections for Entertainments 
24 Dramatic Selections 


VOLUME VII 
25 Popular Prose and Poetry 
26 Readings from Great Authors 
27 Readings and Debates not Found Elsewher@ 
28 Classic Masterpieces 


VOLUME VIII 


29 Best Fiction for the Platform 

30 Humorous and Pathetic Readings 

31 Patriotic Selections ) 
32 Scenes from Plays for Platform Readings 


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